Burundi’s Internal Affairs minister Gervais Ndirakobuca has ordered provincial governors to suspend all social events and ceremonies during weekdays. The move comes after the council of ministers met to assess the status of covid-19 in the country, according to the Internal Affairs minister socials ceremonies and gatherings have contributed to the surge of Coronavirus cases in the country in the last two months.
“All social ceremonies will only be done on Saturdays and Sundays so we call on all governors and law enforcers to implement this,” a statement reads from Internal Affairs minister.
Burundi government had since last year imposed measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 cases in the country after the first case was recorded in March 31st, 2021.
According to the Burundian government COVID-19 cases rose by 2 percent since last month recording 5480 cases from 201,569 people who were screened.
More than 16700 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Burundi since March last year when the first case was recorded.
Wearing masks in public transport and all public gathering is now compulsory in Burundi albeit many in public are witnessed not complying by the protective measures regardless imposition of fine.
I’m Bujumbura, a fine of 100,000 Burundian francs is imposed to anyone found breaching the Covid-19 restrictive measures, soaps and water points can be seen at any entrance of a public building including restaurants and offices.
Vaccination
Burundi government in July, 2021 announced the receiving of a letter from the World Bank for the deployment of covid-19 vaccines to the country, the first time the country had opened up for vaccination of its citizens since last year when the pandemic’s first case was recorded in the country.
However the government distanced itself on any side effects or damages that may be caused by the vaccine on Burundians and foreign nationals wishing to be vaccinated.
Gitega said that it will not sign any agreement with conditions in case there are side effects caused by the vaccine, and that whoever wants to volunteer for the vaccination will do it on his or her own risk.