Police warns driving schools against undermining guidelines

Police spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera

Kigali: Rwanda National Police (RNP) has cautioned owners of driving schools as well as driving instructors against operating in this period, contrary to the existing guidelines on curbing the spread of COVID-19.

RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera observed that there are some driving schools both in Kigali and in other parts of the country that attempt to operate or circumvent the existing guidelines.

“Let me clarify that driving schools are among the services that are still closed in this period as part of the national efforts to further curb the spread of COVID-19,” CP Kabera said.

He added: “Rwanda National Police as a law enforcement institution has strengthened its operations against anyone derailing the government efforts to combat the pandemic in the country, including driving schools.

Whoever is engaged in this; owners of driving schools, driving instructors and their students are violating the directives and will be arrested and penalized accordingly.”

Last week, Police arrested two driving school instructors in Kigali and two students after they were found violating the directives.

Last month, Police also arrested the proprietor of one of the driving schools in Kigali as well as her 15 students and teachers, who were found conducting languages and traffic rules and regulations related lessons in CHIC building.

“Driving lessons in this period can also spread the virus; exchanging the wheel and using the same vehicle is risky and one can infect the other in the process. So, we remind the public that driving schools and their related services are prohibited in this period, until further notice,” CP Kabera said.

He further urged the public to “fully comply” with all the outlined instructions, which are clear, and to be defined by individual responsibility to prevent catching the virus or spreading it to others. (End)