When the cabinet met over the weekend with Covid-19 high on the agenda, some speculated that more stringent measures, even a lockdown, were likely to feature among the resolutions. However, when the resolutions came out, the new measures taken were not as tough as initially feared. The cabinet brought forward curfew time by just an hour, from 10p.m back to 9a.m and ordered businesses to close 8p.m as opposed to 9p.m, while public buses were ordered to carry half their capacity. Wedding ceremonies were allowed to continue albeit under strict guidelines, while places of worship were also kept open, with the only change being reduction of permitted capacity from 50 per cent back to 30 per cent. Schools, markets, hospitality facilities and other operational services and venues were allowed to continue, with government officials later issuing an impassioned plea for members of the public to comply with safety guidelines. Many, especially in Kigali, breathed a sigh of relief on learning that no lockdown or partial lockdown was imposed. However, this did not necessarily mean the government did not find tougher measures warranted given the situation in the country and around the region. Since last week, coronavirus cases have been on an upward trend, with the daily confirmed cases even surpassing the 200-mark – after keeping new infections in double digits for months. Indeed, it is fair to say that the cabinet considered broad implications of tougher restrictions – especially on livelihoods and national economy – when deciding on immediate action. However, the government has long made clear the safety and health of Rwandans comes first and will not hesitate to institute sour and bitter solutions to them. Also, these guidelines are not cast in stone and can easily be reviewed as and when necessary. That is the situation Rubavu finds itself it. The Minister for Local Government on Wednesday, June 16, banned travel to and from Rubavu District effective Thursday and imposed a 7pm-4a.m curfew. He also imposed the same length of curfew period on Rutsiro District and some sectors in Burera, Gicumbi and Nyagatare districts. All these districts lie along the border, with the last three close to Uganda, which is witnessing a deadly surge in Covid-19 cases. It’s almost certain that movement across porous borders is one of the main conduits for the surge in Covid infections in these areas. For Rubavu, the district was left susceptible to a spike in new Covid cases when it, rightly, welcomed thousands of Congolese refugees who crossed into Rwanda in the aftermath of Nyiragongo eruption last month. However, while it is easy to trace the origins of the virus surge in those districts, the truth is that Covid-19 is on the move; it does not stay in one place because we are the carriers and we move. It is, therefore, imperative that we all abide by the guidelines, lest we face a full-blown third wave and biting travel curbs. With the virus staying around for well over a year and everyone fatigued from its devastating effects we were always going to find ourselves in a state of complacency – in one way or another. But complacency is a virus in itself. And, we need no more evidence for that.
