Rwanda reimposes lockdown in parts of capital cit

A trader wearing a protective mask weighs grains at the Kimironko market as shoppers stock up on essential items that have been price fixed in order to prevent exploitative prices in Kigali, Rwanda March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Maggie Andresen

The Rwandan Ministry of Local Government has ordered residents in some parts of the capital Kigali to stay at home in a 15-day lockdown starting from Thursday evening to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

The decision affecting residents in six villages was based on a health analysis. Only people who seek health services or move for other urgent reasons can go out, and workers in both government and private institutions in the affected areas were asked to work from home, the ministry said Thursday in a statement.

The ministry warned that the lockdown could be reinstated in other areas of Kigali in case a health assessment requires to do so.

The country has reported new COVID-19 cases for days. The health ministry reported 20 new cases on Thursday, including four in Kigali, bringing the national count to 850.