Twenty-three people from different religious denominations were found in the same house in Gatsibo District praying, contrary to government directives meant to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
They were caught at about 9PM in the house of one Uwizeye Liberatha, 30, located in Kiramuruzi Sector, Gakenke Cell in Akarusisi Village.
Chief Insepector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the group was “congested in a small room of two-by-three meters,”
They included 20 men and three women, with the majority of them members of ADEPR church. Others are from Anglican and Catholic churches.
“They had violated the directives in all aspects; illegal and risky gathering, they came from different places, no social distancing, no one was wearing a facemask and it was time when everyone was supposed to be in their respective homes,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “Such gatherings are prohibited, unnecessary movements and home visits are not allowed.
These people came from different places and in any case where one of them was infected, it was easy to infect all others who were in that house, not forgetting how many each one of them would infect in their respective homes and communities, an act that can ultimately lead the country back into lockdown crisis,” CIP
All the 23 violators were taken to Kiramuruzi Police station where they were enlightened on the government directives and safety practices against COVID-19.
The incident came few days after other 24 people in Rusizi District were found praying in a hot spring in Mashyuza valley, Nyamabuye Sector.
Police reminds the general public against breaching the directives and calls for sharing of information on any violators in their communities. (RNA)