The recent Cabinet meeting prohibited, among others, all social gatherings including celebrations of all kinds both in public and private settings as one of the stringent measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with other institutions in health and governance have since been conducting public awareness on the national Covid-19 prevention guidelines through various communication channels such as social media, radio and TV, as well as educating those arrested in related violation.
However, some people have vehemently continued to underming the directives and to intentionally disragard the safety guidelines to hold prohibited social gatherings including parties and religious services in unauthorized places such as homes.
On Tuesday, July 13, RNP arrested 10 people, who had converged for prayers at the home of one Philippe Tuyisenge, 47, located in Murambi village, Bukinanyana Cell, Cyuve Sector in Musanze District.
The worshippers belonging to Pentecostal Church had come from Cyuve and Muhoza sectors.
This came just three days after 24 other women were arrested in the same district holding a bridal shower party, of whom three of them tested positive for Covid-19.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Pierre Kanobayire, Musanze District Police Commander said the violators were found crowded in a small living room and with no facemasks.
“These behaviours of putting people in danger will not be tolerated. Musanze is one of the districts where cases of Covid-19 are still high, which requires the responsiveness of everyone. When you invite people in your home, you are inviting the virus,” SSP Kanobayire told the violators
The group was taken to Ubworoherane stadium and subjected to Covid-19 test at their cost, and handed administrative fines.
On July 11, 72 other people were arrested in Mururu Sector, Rusizi District where they were found holding prayer gatherings in two different homes.
Other 41 people were arrested last week in Nyanza District where they were found in bars drinking.
Similar Police operations were conducted in Nyarugenge, Gicumbi, Gasabo and Kicukiro district where scores of people were arrested holding birthday parties and in bars drinking.(End).