Truck drivers entering Rwanda from countries in the region are no longer allowed to return to their families. They are escorted by the police from the moment they arrive at the border until their return to avoid further contamination.
Drivers of trucks entering Rwanda through the Rusumo border are immediately escorted by the national police. They are escorted to Kabuga, where they are tested for coronavirus. Then they continue their journey to the place where the goods are unloaded with police officers. The police escort them to the accommodation site. They will have to reload their lorries if necessary and then leave without any contact with their families.
“From the border of Rusumo, my husband is escorted by the police. He doesn’t come home like he used to. “Reveals a wife of a truck driver who travels from Kigali-Nairobi via Tanzania and Nairobi-Kigali via Tanzania.
“It’s to protect us from the coronavirus. Truck drivers are becoming increasingly infected. “She adds.
Another woman selling food at the Nyarugenge market confirms this information. “I saw truck drivers unloading their goods at the market in town in the presence of the police. “She testifies. “They escorted them to the accommodation site. ” She explains. ” Truck drivers from neighboring countries are no longer allowed to come into contact with the local population. ” She emphasizes.
The new infections are coming from truck drivers
The Ministry of Health announced on Friday April 24, 22 new covid-19 infections and on Saturday April 25, 7 new infections. “This reflects an increase in the number of cases of cross-border truck drivers and their assistants. Said the two official Ministry of Health press releases.
East African Community Health Ministers meeting on 25 March agreed to facilitate the free movement of goods and services between countries in the region. However, truck crews should not exceed three members. The crew is screened and if they are found to be high risk or positive for covid-19, the truck will be decontaminated before being allowed to proceed to its final destination. Crew members will be quarantined for 14 days in accordance with established national guidelines.
The national police spokesperson and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) had not yet reacted to our message until the time of publication of this article.
Gérard Rugambwa
