By Ivan Mwine
The Commander of Land Forces (CLF) of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has hailed President Paul Kagame for fully allowing Ugandans to travel to and from Rwanda after he announced a total lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Rwanda’s borders with Uganda shall become fully reopened starting Monday 7th, 2022, following new directives issued by President Kagame.
Lt. Gen. Muhoozi tweeted thus on Saturday morning; “As of Monday, 7th March my uncle His Excellency President Kagame has permitted greater movement of people across our borders! I thank him very much for re-uniting our people. I also thank him for being a great hero!”
The new directives were relayed in communique by the Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, which reads in part thus;
On Friday, March 4th, 2022, His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, chaired a Cabinet meeting at Urugwiro Village.
The Cabinet approved resolutions of the previous meeting held on January 26th, 2022.
The Cabinet reviewed existing health measures to contain spread of COVID-19.
The following measures will take effect nationwide, starting March 5th 2022 and be reviewed after one month upon a health assessment.
Citizens and Rwanda residents must be fully vaccinated in order to access public places. Fully Vaccinated means having two doses and a booster shot when eligible (administered 3 months after the second dose.”
Land borders shall reopen, starting Monday March 7th, 2022. People may be subject to random COVID-19 testing by the Ministry of Health upon entry.
Curfew is limited. However, night clubs, live bands, bars, receptions and betting activities shall close by 2:00AM.
Arriving and departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. All departing Rwandans must be vaccinated.
Private businesses and public offices will open at full capacity.
Business owners must ensure employees are fully vaccinated. The Ministry of Health may temporarily close public or private premises with identified clusters of people infected with COVID-19.
Public transport will continue with buses operating at full capacity with seated passengers and 75% on non-seated passengers. Windows must be open for proper ventilation. Bus operators must ensure all passengers are vaccinated. Penalties will be applied for noncompliance.
Motorbikes and bicycle taxis are permitted to carry passengers and must comply with COVID-19 preventive measures. Operators and passengers must be vaccinated. Penalties will be applied for non-compliance.
