New Covid-19 measures come into force across 11 districts in Rwanda, Thursday, July 1, as the country bids to contain the spread of the virus. The latest guidelines, announced Tuesday by the Prime Minister’s Office, are in addition to the already existing nationwide measures rolled out just a week earlier. It all comes at a time the country is battling a resurgence in coronavirus infections, a third wave of the virus since the pandemic first spread to Rwanda in March last year. The last few weeks have seen a succession of Covid measures all designed to prevent a situation where the national healthcare system could be overwhelmed with cases, with dire consequences. As a result of Tuesday’s decisions, public and private offices are expected to be closed for at least two weeks, and both employers and employees will need to use online platforms to continue working. Schools, as well as meetings, religious gatherings and other events have also been suspended, while restaurants and other hospitality facilities will only provide takeaway services. While the latest guidelines will affect businesses in one way or another, businesses have avoided the worst case scenario – at least for now – which many people had feared in the days leading up to the latest announcement: lockdown. Obviously, the government is keen on keeping the economy open and protecting people’s livelihoods as much as possible, but where we go from here will largely depend on how the public complies with the current safety measures and the trend of new infections. While the latest guidelines are expected to go a long way in reducing chances of people contracting the virus from indoor settings (since most offices will be closed), how people conduct themselves going forward will determine the next steps in this fight. The next two weeks will, therefore, be critical as far as Rwanda’s next action with regard to the pandemic response. That’s why the role of every individual, not just those in the City of Kigali and the eight upcountry districts where new measures are being rolled out Thursday but across the country, is paramount in this fight. We are all on the frontline and must not just comply with the measures but also take personal precautions against the virus. Protecting yourself and everyone around you is the way out of this undesirable situation. It’s in everyone’s interest that each one of us goes the extra mile, and conducts themselves responsibly – at all times.
