Rwanda’s capital Kigali under total lockdown as country battles third COVID-19 wave

Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has been placed under total lockdown for ten days, beginning July 17, as the country fights a devastating third wave that has seen fatalities rise in recent weeks.

The measures will lapse on July 26.

A total of 607 people 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.

Rwanda has 14,553 active coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, with a positive rate of 17.5 percent, the highest since the pandemic began.

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 also be required to work from home, public transportation will be unavailable, and movement will be restricted unless absolutely necessary.

Residents of Kigali were also asked to avoid social connections and limit movement to only needed tasks, according to the statement.

Kigali and some parts of the country have been in a partial lockdown since July 1.

The city seemed virtually deserted and people from their homes closed their schools and restaurants with only public transport and services with only 30% of their capacity.

In the rest of the country, movements between the districts are not allowed; a 6pm to 4am curfew is also in place.