Police and local authorities in City of Kigali, on Monday, December 14, caught over 60 people in Downtown, Nyarugenge District, who were found operating contrary to the government directives meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Majority of the caught violators are traders in Downtown, who undermined the 50 percent number of businesses or traders required to operate in each shift; those who had no hand sanitizers, disregarded social distancing and did not wear a facemask.
All the violators were taken to Kigali stadium in Nyamirambo where they will be enlightened on the prevention measures.
According to Nyarugenge District Executive Administrator (DEA) Emmy Ngabonziza, nine shops were also closed in light of the identified violations.
“COVID-19 has taken a new twist largely because of such people’s behaviors; people are tilting from the line and are disregarding the safety and health guidelines intentionally, which will not be entertained,” Ngabonziza said.
He added that some traders were undermining members of youth volunteers, grassroots leaders and DASSO, adding that the identified shops will be closed for a period of one month and owners fined accordingly.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned that operations against violators are continuous across the country.
“There are set and clear directives, which must be respected and followed. We cannot entertain any actions that derail national efforts against the pandemic because it’s the same inappropriate behaviors and complacency that is fueling the increase in infections,” CP Kabera warned.
He cautioned people who also undermine youth volunteers and other groups that are supporting national efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic, adding that Police and local authorities have strengthened partnership to ensure maximum compliance and to penalize anyone caught in violations.(End)