Nine takeaways from Tuesday’s Covid-19 news conference

Three cabinet ministers on Tuesday, March 30 hosted a press conference to elaborate the latest Covid-19 guidelines that were announced on Monday this week. The officials addressed various topics Covid-19 related topics including the current situation, the vaccination programme and the revised protocols. The ministers; Dr. Daniel Ngamije of Health, Valentine Uwamariya of Education and Jean-Marie Vianney Gatabazi of Local Government minister were also joined by the Rwanda National Police Spokesperson CP John Bosco Kabera. Here are nine takeaways 1. Government to roll out the second phase of the vaccination From Friday, April 2, Rwanda will kick off the second phase of the nationwide vaccination programme. According to Minister Ngamije, people who received their first shots are due their second jab and will be the main focus. During phase one, priority was given to frontline workers, senior citizens (Above 65), people with underlying conditions and people living with disabilities. “We will begin with those who got their first doses. We have their full contact information and none of them should be worried.” 2. More people to receive the first dose In a bid to reach the country’s target of vaccinating at least 30 percent of the population by the end of 2021, Ngamije said that during the second phase of the nationwide vaccination programme, more citizens will receive the jab. This, he said, will see the number of people to be vaccinated double from the current 342,000. “While this sounds like good news, the Minister said, it should be understood that close to going back to normalcy.” 3. Rwanda to acquire 1 million Johnson & Johnson doses Minister Ngamije exclusively told The New Times that Rwanda is in the advanced stages of acquiring nearly a million Johnson&Johnson Covid-19 vaccines, with a target of the doses arriving before September this year. The Johnson&Johnson vaccine has advantages that include ease of storage as it does not require colder temperatures as compared to other vaccines and is a single-shot dose. 4. Caution to students on a two-week break The Minister of Education Valentine Uwamariya called upon students to observe the existing Covid-19 measures as they return to their families. Schools will close this week ahead of the Easter Holidays. Uwamariya said that students in boarding students will return home in shifts to ensure Covid-19 guidelines are respected. “We have a plan to help them return to their families in a safe manner. The activities will take four days, where each student will be transported to their home districts after which they will head to their respective families.” She added, “These are not holidays to celebrate for, we have lost a lot in terms of the academic year, and this should serve as an opportunity for study especially for the candidates.” 5. Easter holidays While Easter holidays are a time for family celebrations, the officials gave a stern warning to not ‘get too excited’ and violate the existing guidelines. The officials explained that festivities put the country at risk of a spike in Covid-19 cases. Minister Ngamije pointed out how the Christmas festivities turned out to be super spreaders. 6. Local government to engage church leaders Minister Gatabazi said that the local government is in touch with religious leaders to ensure that churches adhere to existing measures to curb the virus. With Easter coming up, Gatabazi said that a detailed agenda will soon be announced, adding that most church services will be conducted virtually owing to the pandemic. 7. Misinformation about the vaccines Minister Ngamije raised concerns about Rwandans becoming complacent after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, believing they are safe. “This is totally wrong. The vaccines are meant to help our bodies fight the virus, leave alone the first shot even the second (one) doesn’t assure us of complete protection. The only weapon against this pandemic is through observing the preventative measures.” He said that the jabs will be most effective when the largest portion of the population has been vaccinated. 8. 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to be shipped Rwanda has already purchased 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines and that they are waiting for shipment. This is in addition to those received through the AU and Covax framework. “We are part of those two programmes and in addition, the country has also ordered more than 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines. They are currently waiting for shipment.” 9. Pandemic not alarming in schools As students break-off, the Education Minister, Uwamariya reassured Rwandans saying the virus is under control in schools. “We don’t want to reverse this trend. We ask the students in guidance with their families to stay vigilant so that we don’t risk missing any more time in this academic year,” she added.

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Nine takeaways from Tuesday’s Covid-19 news conference