The curfew is to start at 10 pm from 6 May 2021 instead of 9 pm. The Council of Ministers decided this during its deliberations on 5 May. It maintained 7 p.m. as the start of the curfew in 6 districts of the Southern Province.
In most of the country, except for 6 districts in the South, the curfew is to start at 10pm until further notice. This reflects the overall situation of the covid-19 pandemic in the country which is increasingly improving.
The number of new infections is falling remarkably. An average of 50% of the country’s districts have been free of new cases of covid-19 in recent months.
The districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe in the Southern Province remain under lockdown from 7pm until 4am as decided during the last Council of Ministers meeting on 14 April 2021.
Even if the number of new infections in this part of the South is decreasing, there are still many sick people because with the 1373 cases still active, most of them are from the South. It is important to consolidate the situation in the South first to avoid a resurgence of this covid-19 pandemic.
Other measures for the prevention of covid-19
Passengers coming from India will have to go through a mandatory 7-day quarantine in a designated hotel. They will have to pay the bill themselves for the services they receive during their stay. This decision is probably due to the covid-19 situation in that country. A new variant has caused many deaths and new infections leading to the intervention of countries like the US and France.
Churches allowed to open can receive up to 50% of their congregation. Cafés and restaurants are allowed to receive customers until 9pm instead of 8pm. Gymnasiums will be able to resume their activities gradually.
The Council of Ministers reminded the entire population to continue to respect health measures. Social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands remain mandatory under penalty of being punished.
Gérard Rugambwa
