Forty-six believers were caught in a house in Nyagatare District, Matimba Sector holding an illegal gathering.
The gathering was contrary to the national directives meant to prevent further spread of the COVID-19.
The violators were found gathered in the house of one Jean Pierre Musilikali located in Rwentanga Cell, praying.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Region, said the gathering, which contravened the government safety guidelines against the pandemic, was reported by area residents.
“This was a small residential house with 46 people congested in it. They came from different places with none of them wearing a face mask and it was about midnight,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
Residents called their community night patrol—Irondo—who in turned called the Police, he added.
“These are believers from different religious denominations; 43 of them came from the cells of Kanyonza and Rwentanga in Matimba Sector while three others were from Musheri Sector. Worse still, majority of them were aged below 21; only 13 people were above 21 years. Overall, 33 were women,” said the spokesperson.
In daily updates on COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health, on December 6, two people from Nyagatare were among the 45 identified positive cases.
The previous day on December 5, one person was also found infected in Nyagatare while another positive case in the district was reported on December 2.
Meanwhile, the host of the prohibited gathering, Musilikali, escaped arrest when the other violators were handed administrative fines after being enlightened on the threat of COVID-19 as well as adherence to safety and health guidelines.
CIP Twizeyimana warned against violating the directives, which can derail the national efforts against the pandemic. (End)