Rwandan Government partially reopened the western border crossing with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) at Rubavu District after seven months closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the Rwandan government reopened airports in August, land borders remain closed, except for goods and cargo as well as returning Rwandan citizens and legal residents.
Governor of Western province Alphonse Munyantwari told reporters at a news conference in Rubavu that the partial reopening of the two border crossings in Rubavu in the Western province was going to facilitate movement of people.
Munyantwari said students, teachers, medics, holders of small-scale traders’ passport and those with temporary regional travel permits used to travel in the region.
He added that in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus, travellers were required to follow health protocols.
According to him the health protocols includes rapid tests for COVID-19 before being allowed to travel to their destinations, stressing that the border is yet to be fully reopened.
Easing movements followed Monday’s meeting between Munyantwari and Carly Nzanzu Kasivita, governor of DR Congo’s North Kivu Province, which agreed on steps to enhance cross-border trade and stepping up measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The meeting also agreed to set up a joint mechanism for sharing information on the continued fight against COVID-19 as well as joint fight of illegal cross-border trade.
As of November 4, Rwanda reported 5,174 total cases with 4,930 recoveries and 35 deaths.