This archive report was first published on 2 September 2021.
As Rwanda continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has announced a series of measures to ease restrictions and expand vaccination efforts. The new guidelines, which take effect on September 2, 2021, will allow traditional weddings, gyms, and gaming to resume, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to managing the pandemic.
According to the new rules, curfew hours in Kigali have been adjusted to 10pm-4am, with businesses allowed to remain open until 9pm. However, in districts with high rates of infections, movement will still be prohibited between 8pm and 4am, with businesses closing at 7pm.
The cabinet has also resolved that religious, legal, and traditional marriage ceremonies will be attended by 50 people, with attendees required to take Covid-19 tests within 72 hours prior to the event. Public and private offices will continue to operate with essential staff at 50 percent of their workers, while bars will remain closed and restaurants and cafes will continue to host 30 percent of their venue capacity.
The new guidelines come as Rwanda advances its national vaccination plan, with over 1.5 million people vaccinated with the first dose as of September 2, 2021. The country has ramped up its inoculation campaign, now saying any Kigali resident above the age of 18 can receive the vaccine. Rwanda also has about 50 vaccination sites in its capital Kigali.
The government plans to vaccinate 60 percent of its 12.9 million population (or 7.8 million people) by June 2022, with health practitioners estimating that 30 percent of the population, especially from urban areas, will be vaccinated by early 2022.
