On Monday, January 18, majority of Kigali residents were probably caught off guard by news of a two-week lockdown in response to the rising Covid-19 cases and fatalities. With a positivity rate of 12 per cent, a lockdown was deemed the most appropriate response to save lives. In other words, 12 people in 100 or 6 in every 50 tested positive for the virus. Without stringent measures, Covid-19 infections would likely spiral out of control, putting many lives at risk. Hospitals were starting to feel the strain. For example, the newly opened Covid-19 treatment facility in Nyarugenge District had by Monday this week exceeded 70 per cent of its capacity, raising concerns among public health officials. The missteps that led to the spike in cases might have transpired during the festive period when many city dwellers let their guard down as well as increased travel across the country. As inconvenient as it might be to citizens and residents of Rwanda, schools, businesses and other stakeholders, a lockdown is what we needed to get situation under control in the capital. However all is not lost. This being Kigali’s second lockdown following the initial one in March last year, residents have learnt how to make the most of this time. A majority of companies and firms have rolled out processes and procedures for working remotely. The authorities could have also taken lessons from previous experience going by how they facilitated members of the public during the first lockdown, especially emergency travellers. For instance, on the first day of this lockdown, authorities allowed the public the whole day to put their affairs in order or travel back to their homes before the new restrictions could fully be enforced. This followed concerns from the public that people were previously not given time to prepare for new measures. Like was the case in the previous lockdown, there is no doubt that Kigali residents will look out for each other during these two weeks - and thereafter. Beyond sharing tips on how to stay fit on social media, they will be kind, considerate and look out for those whose livelihoods have severely been affected by the lockdown to ensure no one goes to bed hungry.
