After the closure of the Nyarugenge market, all merchants must be given two covid-19 tests before resuming their business.
The Nyarugenge district, on the instruction of the City of Kigali, imposed two negative covid-19 tests on all merchants in Nyarugenge market before resuming their activities. The premises will also have to be disinfected.
“Many merchants had been infected. They touched everywhere. The decision has been taken, they must undergo two negative covid-19 tests, the first on August 17 and the last one on August 23 before being allowed to enter this market,” said Evariste Nkunda, the Nyarugenge district’s covid-19 control officer. “We are also going to disinfect the whole market because we want to make sure that this market is not a hotbed for the spread of the coronavirus,” added Nkunda.
A woman selling food products revealed that for some time now, covid-19 tests have been carried out regularly in the market’s cellar. “The decision to close the market is a good decision because the coronavirus is present and in large quantities in my opinion,” she said. “We’ve seen many of us leave to receive treatment for covid-19,” she adds. “Most of them are not protecting themselves. It’s outrageous the way they behave. They don’t follow instructions despite the reminders of the young volunteers in yellow vests,” she said.
Mutangana’s vendors are moving
For the Nyabugogo market, Chez Mutangana, the food vendors were asked to relocate for the continuation of their commercial activities.
The wholesalers of fruits and vegetables from the Northern Province will sell them to the Kanyinya Groupe scolaire in the Kanyinya sector. For the rest of the fruits and vegetables, the retail vendors-retailers will buy their supplies from Giti Kinyoni and other markets in the City of Kigali. While potatoes will be found in Nzove.
For the retailers, “it has been proposed to them to go to the nearest markets,” explains Evariste Nkunda.
However, some traders feel that the risks of coronavirus spread are not reduced with the change of sales points. “There is not enough space. The risks of propagation are still there,” says a woman selling food products.
Gerard Rugambwa
