Rwanda closes two city markets in bid to curb spread of COVID-19

Rwanda's health ministry has reported 253 new COVID-19 cases since Friday. /REUTERS Image

The Rwandan government has ordered the shutdown of two markets in the capital Kigali for one week for a disinfection exercise aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The temporary closure of the Nyabugogo Market and the Nyarugenge City Market comes after a recent spike in new daily cases, which has seen the health ministry report 253 new cases since Friday.

The government directed sellers stationed in the two markets to seek alternative markets.

"The leadership of both markets will inform those who sell perishables what their next area of operation will be. We would like to inform you that these two areas that you are vacating will be disinfected and those who operate there will continue to be tested," local New Times newspaper quotes Pudence Rubingisa, the Mayor of Kigali.

Rubingisa called upon the city's residents to avoid complacency in the fight against COVID-19, saying it was hampering government efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom hailed Rwanda's success so far in the fight against COVID-19, saying it had been made possible by the country's "strong leadership."

As of Monday, The East African country had reported 2,453 COVID-19 infections and eight deaths.