The Rwandan National Police (RNP) has outlined tough measures against errant members of the public and motorists in particular, who continue to violate directives intended to contain COVID-19, thereby derailing national efforts against the pandemic.
The latest steps, according to RNP spokesperson CP John Bosco Kabera, require a digital archive of the names of each offender to warn “serious actions” in the event of recidivism.
“As part of the efforts to implement the directives, compliance and easy identification of errant violators, RNP has started a new digital system to keep detailed data on everyone, including motorists and pedestrians, who breach the directives to inform severe actions when you are caught again,” CP Kabera said.
Strict steps also require the submission of punitive fines to the violators as well as to those who lie to their respective employers.
This follows an assessment of the level of compliance with the Directives in the last four months, which shows serious violations of the compulsory wearing of face masks in public, curfew and operating services which are still closed or unauthorized, such as bars, prayers and prohibited movements and gatherings.
“These violations increase risks of COVID-19 infections after the lockdown was lifted and movements beyond regions permitted,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Residents of Rwanda should understand that as the government continues to open different sectors of the economy including businesses and tourism as well as religious services; it is not time to lean back, relax and loosen the recommended safety and prevention measures but rather a step to further improve livelihoods of the people in line with the country’s development but in maximum compliance with the directives.”
He noted that such violations, which often include home visits, unwanted and prohibited home activities, continue to fuel further infections of COVID-19 in the country.
“Rwanda National Police strongly warns against such unlawful, inappropriate, and risky behaviours and actions, which lead to putting some sectors, cells and villages under lockdown and can lead the country back into total lockdown; no one wishes this to happen again,” CP Kabera emphasized.
Recently, RNP released a study of nearly 500 errant motorists, who breached the curfew and went on to ignore the instructions given to them by the police to enforce the curfew.
Instead of parking in the allocated lots and going to centres where they were directed, they drove or rode away.
Among these identified motorists, only 155 had voluntarily reported to the Police by Thursday, 23 July.
“Many other motorists have not reported as per the recent Police notice. We wish to remind every motorist who will not come forward by the end of Friday, July 24, that Police will take the next step to locate and arrest them,” CP Kabera warned.
The spokesperson also warned against moving without identification, adding that “no one will be released until their full identities including where they reside and what they do, are known and recorded.”
For the churches and mosques that have been allowed to resume their religious services, CP Kabera has told them that “responsibility to prevent the spread of Coronavirus has equally been placed in their hands by maximum compliance with the set guidelines, without being forced, for the safety of their followers and the country in general.”
He took the time to thank the majority of people in Rwanda who have embraced the culture of # NtabeAriNjye by operating within the scope of the Directives and facilitating police enforcement through sharing information on offenders.
“Respecting all the directives and specific guidelines for particular institutions and areas is not optional; it’s the only thing to do.
If you think that you can make the Police give up, then you are stressing yourself; Police operates 24-hours-all-days to ensure the safety of all people in Rwanda and their property, and to ensure that all the directives are respected to the maximum.”
“Wearing a facemask is not a one-time thing; it’s a must every time you leave your home; washing hands should be a regular hygiene and safety practice using soap and clean water; social distancing should be a culture; whatever you do, make sure the curfew finds you home.”
To win the battle against the pandemic, which currently has no cure, he said that the only cure will be to comply with the government guidelines and other prescribed hygiene and safety practices.