Africa News of Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Source: bbc.com

Coronavirus: Rwanda extends lockdown in new areas

The country is imposing more restrictions as coronavirus cases rise The country is imposing more restrictions as coronavirus cases rise

Rwanda's interior ministry has ordered selected areas in the south-west of the country back into lockdown from Wednesday after a rise in coronavirus cases.

Movement restrictions for two weeks have been put in place in Nyamasheke and Nyamagabe districts - including in a refugee camp which hosts thousands of Congolese.

Authorities said the measure, which is being enforced by security forces, was taken “after assessment of the pandemic in those districts”.

Last week, the authorities extended a two-week lockdown in some parts of the capital Kigali as cases were said to be rising.

Movement has been restricted to essential workers, those going to seek medical care, and to shop for food.

In the past 10 days, Rwanda has recorded 324 cases and one death, taking the total tally to 1,416 cases.