This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
As Rwanda indicates a successful slowing of coronavirus infections, the country is pushing towards full re-opening of the economy. According to the Economic Recovery Plan, the government aims to store food for 10% of the population, equivalent to 2,500 kilocalories per person per day.
Published on May 18, 2020, the plan includes increasing resources for National Strategic Reserves to stock food, supporting districts to establish their own food reserves, and mobilizing farmers to have community stores and storage facilities at the household level.
The estimated cost of these Covid-19-related interventions is Rwf882 billion ($934 million) over the two fiscal years 2019/20 and 2020/21, equivalent to an increase in fiscal deficit of about 4.4% of GDP on average per year.
Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Director-General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, noted that while the slowing of infections is positive news, it is too early to speak on opening up the economy fully. 'The best we can do is continue mass testing,' he added.
