80 people were found in Saga Bay, a resto-bar joint in Gisenyi town, drinking.
Eighty people were arrested in Rubavu District on Tuesday, February 9, after they were found in a bar drinking.
They are part of 103 people arrested in the Tuesday afternoon operations conducted in Rubavu town targeting violators of the national COVID-19 prevention measures.
All the 80 people were found in Saga Bay, a resto-bar joint in Gisenyi town, drinking.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said the hospitality establishment was hiding under the allowed restaurant services to also operate its bar section.
“None of all the 80 people arrested at Saga Bay was eating; they were all seated in groups drinking, no social distancing, they were hagging each other and most of them were drunk,” said CIP Karekezi.
It is the third time that the same establishment was found operating contrary to the government COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
“In the past two incidences, the owner and the management were advised and warned over the violations. For this third time, action was taken including arrests and closure of all its businesses as well as fining all people found inside,” he added.
He thanked people, who reported the violations, which could be the source of COVID-19 spread.
“Most of those arrested in Saga Bay are enlightened and knew well that what they were doing is prohibited. Unfortunately, these are the same people that tried to be stubborn during the operation,” said the spokesperson.
He faulted and warned people, who use permitted services to operate prohibited businesses adding that restaurants and cafes provide take away services only.
All the violators spent were taken to Umuganda stadium where they were educated on COVID-19 prevention measures but also fined for the violations. (End)