Rwanda National Police (RNP) has cautioned believers against holding prohibited prayer gatherings, which can lead to further spread of the COVID-19.
The warning follows different cases where many people have been caught in such prohibited and risky gatherings in homes.
In the latest similiar violation, Police and local leaders in Gatsibo District, on Saturday, November 21, caught 39 people, who were gathered in a resident’s house, praying.
The violators were gathered in the house of one John Barahirwa, 25, located in Simbwa Cell, Kabarore Sector, contrary to the directives against further spread of the COVID-19.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the prohibited gathering was reported by grassroots leaders in the area.
“All the violators are members of the Seventh Day Adventist church. They were found congested in a small room with no one wearing a facemask, following a sermon from their leaders; Aloys Hategekimana and Jonas Ndikumana,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
All the violators were subjected to administrative fines and sensitized on the threat of the COVID-19, national directives and health guidelines.
The spokesperson warned against such risky behaviours and actions, which can derail the national response efforts to curb the pandemic.
“The government directives and safety guidelines are very clear and must be followed. Those who hold such illegal gatherings are not only threats to their lives, but also to their families’ and respective communities’.
This means that everyone has a role to play to prevent these risky practices through information sharing on violations happening in neighbourhoods,” CIP Twizeyimana said. (End)