A student shows a message at Kigali Greater Heights School. Schools in Kigali were closed since January 18
The cabinet chaired by President Paul Kagame on 19 February allowed more businesses to resume partly or fully effective February 23, on condition that they all observe all measures put in place to contain more spread of COVID-19.
The cabinet, first of all, re-arranged the curfew hours that will cover night hours from 8PM through 4PM despite businesses having to close at 6 PM to prepare people to head home. People running businesses in markets and supermarkets will alternate on a basis of 50%.
Staff in public offices will resume business, with 30% alternating at the office and the rest working from home. Offices in the private sector will also work in a similar arrangement.
Also released is the education sector where the cabinet directed that “All schools, be it private and public, including universities are allowed to open.”
Schools were closed on January 18th in Kigali when a lockdown was imposed in the capital city.
Unexpectedly, movements between districts and Kigali city and other districts of the country, are still prohibited, except for cars in the transport of goods, medication, tourism and other in essential services.
In public transport, however, there was some relief where the cabinet increased the carrying capacity to 75% from 50%.
Motorcycle, bicycles will continue to take passengers.
Among businesses allowed are included restaurants which can accommodate 30% of their capacity until 6PM and to give take away and outside catering until 8PM.
As usual, bars will continue to close, while churches were allowed to reopen on the condition of receiving 30% of their capacity, from 50% initially.
In regard to tourism and air transport, the Kigali International airport will continue to operate with arriving passengers required to present a COVID-19 PCR negative test taken before 72 hours.
Those that will spend more than a week in Rwanda will have to test for COVID-19 and then go to a-7 day of self-isolation. They will test for COVID-19 at the end of the quarantine.
Tourism activities will also continue, with tour operators and their clients informing the Rwanda Development Board(RDB) about their movements. Hotel will also be allowed to operate.
Physical meetings are not allowed.
Individual sports that are done in open air are allowed, but, the cabinet directed that the Ministry of Sports will issue more directives on this.
Meanwhile, indoor sports will remain closed, however, they are allowed for hotel dwellers upon presentation of COVID-19 negative test.
Attendance at night vigil-ikiriyo is limited to 10 people and funeral service, 20 people.
Similarly, civil weddings and religious weddings have been reopened, sending relief to several couple who have postponed on several occasions. The maximum number of people at a wedding should be 20 people. Unfortunately, no receptions are allowed afterward.
Betting is not allowed.
