The government has banned meal delivery services offered by restaurants in districts placed in lockdown as it intensifies efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, which has been accelerating since last month. The new Rwanda Development Board (RDB) guidelines, which involve a ban on takeaway services, come a day after the government issued fresh stringent Covid-19 measures. Among the measures, from July 17, Kigali city and eight other districts including Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana, Rustiro, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi and Musanze has been placed under lockdown. For safety purposes, RDB said in a statement, restaurants are prohibited to do food delivery or takeaway in the districts in lockdown. The directive will not only affect restaurants but will also hit dozens of eCommerce firms that are engaged in food delivery services. However, delivery of groceries and other essential products will continue to operate, RDB said. Meanwhile, in order to facilitate in-house guests and limit daily movement hotels have been encouraged to accommodate their staff within their facilities to avoid the further spread of the virus. “In this regard, movement facilitation will be provided for hotels that are not able to accommodate their staff,” RDB said in a tweet. International tourists travelling into the country will be facilitated with movement clearances with strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines in place, it added. “This also includes hotels, tour operators and transport services assisting visitors.” Domestic local or domestic tourists were advised to schedule visits and activities after the lockdown for safety reasons. Public Notice: Following the recent Cabinet resolutions on measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Rwanda Development Board would like to clarify the following: [Thread]#StaySafe — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) July 15, 2021 1) Food delivery and take-away services from restaurants is prohibited during the lockdown in the City of Kigali and the districts of Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana and Rutsiro; starting July 17th to July 26th 2021. #StaySafe — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) July 15, 2021 2) Hotels are encouraged to accommodate their staff within their facilities, in order to facilitate in-house guests and limit daily movement. Movement facilitation will be provided for hotels that are not able to accommodate their staff. #StaySafe — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) July 15, 2021 3) International tourists traveling into the country are very welcome and will be fully facilitated with movement clearances to ensure a very smooth experience while respecting COVID-19 guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators and transport services assisting visitors. — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) July 15, 2021 Domestic tourists are advised to schedule visits and activities after the lockdown.#StaySafe — Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) July 15, 2021
