The new prevention measures that were announced by the Prime Minister, state that all government employees are to work from home, except for essential services.

Borders are closed, except for goods and cargos, as well as all Rwandan and legal residents who will be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine at a designated location.

Traveling between different cities and districts of the country are not permitted, except for medical or essentials reasons.

Dr. Ngamije Daniel said that these measures were taken because it was realized that if not taken there was a high risk of the virus spreading throughout the country.

“Presently, we have 17 people who are infected by the coronavirus, these have crossed paths with about 688 people since their arrival in the country. We were able to locate 68% of those other people and are following up on their status, those with symptoms are being tested and others are having a daily follow-up.

“If we do not put up measures to limit all the infected people and those they have crossed path within the City of Kigali, chances are that as they travel they carry this virus to other cities and provinces and in doing so infect more people in a very short period of time. Then we will have many more cases in all those cities and provinces.”

The Minister of Local Government, Prof Shyaka Anastase said that all Rwandans need to take this matter seriously and understand that if they do not react, the pandemic will spread throughout the whole country.

Shyaka also asked citizens not to run into panic-buys as many ran to market places to stock more food commodities in preparation of the lockdown effects. He explained that among services that will continue unabated are; selling food items, hygienic products and also health services.

The new prevention measures that were announced by the Prime Minister, state that all government employees are to work from home, except for essential services.