Rwandans must wear masks or face arrest

Rwandans must wear masks whenever they go out in public, according to a new public directive, or face the prospect of arrest, as the government continues to implement measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.

The ministry of health announced the order over the weekend, which came into effect at the start of this week.

According to reports from the capital, Kigali, police have been questioning people who were seen wearing masks, but no arrests have yet been made.

In order to meet supply, the government has announced a list of local companies that are permitted to manufacture the masks, though they are yet to reach markets on the ground.

Under lockdown, Rwandans are only allowed to leave their homes to buy food, seek medical or financial care, or deliver either of those services.

The lockdown was extended by a further two weeks over the weekend to 30 April.

The country has so far confirmed 147 cases of the virus, none of which have died.

[Photo: George Osodi/Bloomberg]