REMOVAL OF MASKS IN RWANDA

WEARING OF MASK WILL NO LONGER BE MANDATORY IN RWANDA 

                

images by St John Ambulance/Mask protection

After the meeting of the council of ministers, held at village urugwiro this Friday, it was decided that from 14^th May, the wearing of masks will no longer be compulsory in Rwanda

Written by Charlene Mindje F.

Since March 2022, after the first coronavirus cases were reported, the Rwandans were obliged to wear masks indoors, in transport, schools, markets, health establishments – brief, everywhere, except in their residences. But this Friday, after the meeting of the council of ministers, the yellow paper has confirmed the removal of masks for all Rwandans, except where there is a possibility of finding a large number of people crowded together.

"Wearing face masks is no longer mandatory. However, people are encouraged to wear masks indoors," the prime minister, Edouard NGIRENTE said late Friday.

Virus cases are very minimal, according to Rwanda's public health

Over the past three months, Rwanda's public health has confirmed a decrease in the circulation of the virus and hospitalizations. However, if the epidemic seems under control for the moment, it is not “over”, warn the scientists.

As reported by the minister of health in Rwanda this Saturday _"The epidemic situation is improving, the pandemic is not over, but the number of new daily diagnoses is decreasing".In addition, the vaccination obligation for caregivers remains in force, as in the majority of countries that have introduced it, he added.

For the Rwandan citizens, this is a big step, which was taken with full joy, after a long period, since the outbreak of coronavirus, covering their faces to protect themselves against being affected by COVID19.

“We are delighted with this news because I admit that it was not easy for all of us to always be having masks on our faces all the time. In class, it was even worse because sometimes we had trouble breathing- especially when it was hot. I am thrilled that the situation has improved.” declared Uwase Leah, a student from the Mount Kenya University of Rwanda.

The authorities also announced that visitors will no longer have to take PCR tests, but can take antigen tests instead before travel and after arriving in the country.

It is no longer needed to cover your face in Rwanda. 

However, the government stresses that the mask remains recommended for positive people and contact cases at risk, symptomatic people, and health professionals.