Rwanda has re-imposed a 15-day lockdown in six villages of Kigali after the capital recorded 21 new cases this month, the Ministry of Local Government said in a statement on Twitter, reported Africa News.
According to the statement, the decision to re-impose the lockdown after an analysis carried out by the Health Ministry on COVID-19 in the country. The Health Ministry claimed that the increase in coronavirus cases in Rwanda is attributed to increase testing across the country. Rwanda has tested over 121, 527 people,
As per the statement, only people who are in need of health services or move for other urgent reasons will be allowed to go out. Workers in both government and private institutions in the affected areas have been asked to work from home.
The ministry warned that the lockdown could be reinstated in other areas of Kigali in case a health assessment requires calls for it.
Rwanda has reported a total of 858 cases and two deaths since the first person tested positive in March, according to data compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins university. The health ministry reported 20 new cases on Thursday, including four in Kigali, bringing the national count to 858.
Rwanda became the first in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown after confirming its first coronavirus case on 21 March. The restrictions were eased 45 days later, in May.
Last month, the Rwandan government lifted some lockdown restrictions lockdown while maintaining a night-time curfew as a precaution. The country has reopened tourism activities to visitors arriving on chartered flights on condition that they are confirmed to be virus-free 72 hours before arrival. Hotels are also allowed to host conferences and tourists.
Public transport, including the popular use of commercial motorcyclists, has also resumed with the exception of Rusizi and Rubavu Districts which are still under total lockdown.
