Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has been placed under absolute lockdown for ten days, beginning July 17, as the country fights a devastating third wave that has seen fatalities rise in recent weeks.
Rwanda has 14,553 active coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, with a positive rate of 17.5 percent, the highest since the pandemic began. A total of 607 individuals have died as a result of the illness, with 74 others in critical condition.
President Paul Kagame announced the measures at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, prohibiting non-essential movements in the capital and the districts of Gicumbi, Burera, Musanze, Kamonyi, Nyagatare, Rwamagana, Rubavu, and Rutsiro.
According to the Rwanda Biomedical Center’s statistics, the current outbreak of illnesses has primarily afflicted Kigali, which accounts for more than half of all recorded cases.
Non-essential businesses, churches, schools, and universities will all close, according to a statement released Wednesday evening.
Employees will work from home, public transportation will be unavailable, and movement will be restricted unless absolutely necessary.
It also recommended Kigali residents to cut down on social connections and limit their movements to only those that are necessary. During a second wave of Covid-19 infections in January 2021, Kigali was placed under total lockdown for the last time.
