In order to prevent and mitigate the risk of Coronavirus (Covid-19)transmission;

The Government of Rwanda has set up a multidisciplinary team to assess and strengthen preparedness and response to the epidemic;

Based on an assessmentby the taskforce, the Government of Rwanda would like to inform the general public of the following:

• No case of Coronavirus has been reported in Rwanda so far;
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• Rwanda has put in place preparedness and response mechanismsto deal with a possible outbreak;
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• However, given the severity of the epidemic and rapidity with which it spreads we urge all Rwandans to take appropriate precautions and follow the advice ofhealth professionals.

This virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also spreadsrapidly between people in close contact with one another through handshaking, or touching an infected person.

Therefore, we urge everyone to:

• Avoid especially handshaking and close body contact e.g. hugging
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• Avoid unnecessary travels to countries affected by Coronavirus;
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• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing in public;
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• Wash your hands with clean water and soap or hand sanitizer;
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• Avoid contact with others whenever you have flulike symptoms, cough or high fever;
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• Contact the nearest health facilityif you have one of the following symptoms: flu, fever, running nose, and cough with sore throat.

The Ministry of Health and other relevantinstitutions will continue to work onadequate strategies in the prevention and fight against this epidemic.

Done at Kigali, 06^th March 2020

Dr. Edouard Ngirente

Prime Minister