Rwanda National Police (RNP) has warned owners and management of bars that operate contrary to the government directives on Covid-19 prevention.
The caution comes after some bars were found breaching the set guidelines, including prior authorization.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in its guidelines, set at least 12 conditions before the bar is granted permission to resume operations after assessing the submitted re-opening application to the sector by a joint team that include PSF and RDB.
Some of the requirements include being registered with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or those bars with a valid trading license issued at sector level are allowed to resume operations.
Bars should also have handwashing facilities and/or with alcohol-based sanitizer at every entry and exit points, visible signs indicating acceptable and prohibited seating in the bar such as 1.5 metre distance between the seats; use of digital payment; all bar employees to wear masks properly at all times as well as clients while entering the bar.
Each bar is also required to an employee or a team wearing visible yellow vest to monitor the adherence to Covid-19 preventive measures on a regular basis.
Doors and windows should always be open while owners are required to facilitate their employees to take Covid-19 test, at least every after two weeks and to ensure maximum sanitation and hygiene.
While appearing on Good Morning Rwanda talk-show on Rwanda Television on Monday, RNP spokesperson Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera called upon the public to be responsive against bars that operate contrary to the set guidelines.
He observed that some bars resumed operations without going the due procedure to apply for re-opening, warning of serious consequences if caught.
“If you did not apply for the re-opening or did not get authorisation from responsible administrative entity, and you are operating the bar, you are misleading people and putting them in danger, which will not be tolerated,” CP Kabera warned.
Forged Covid-19 test certificate
CP Kabera further warned people, who forged or use forged Covid-19 test certificates so as to attend ceremonies and sports events.
“Forging or using Covid-19 test certificate is not only a deliberate act to spread the virus in events where you are going, but also a serious criminal acts punishable by law,” CP Kabera said.
Article article 276 of the law Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general, states that any person, who in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of not less than Frw3 million but not more than Frw5 million.
Any person, who knowingly makes use of a forgery document in any way, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to the same penalty.
If forgery is committed by a public servant or any other person in charge of public service, the applicable penalty is an imprisonment term of not less than seven (7) years and not more than ten (10) years with a fine of not less than Frw2 million but not more Frw3 million or one of these penalties.(End).