14th March 2020

Katie and I decide to meet at our favourite Saturday place, the bookshop in town which not only has a great selection of books but a café that overlooks the city.

Later, we find an Indian restaurant along a dirt track and meet up with Hannah. The restaurant, like most, is taking precautions and they tell us to wash us our hands, and then bring out the hand sanitizer.  We marvel at how cautious they are, even though there are no known cases in the country.

After our meal we play a game of cards. At some point, Hannah checks her phone and tells us the news…Rwanda has its first case of coronavirus.  There’s a message on Twitter from the Ministry of Health

This is followed by a statement issued by the President Paul Kagame.

“As always, we will win in these difficult times through collaboration and teamwork.  This requires us to take care that we continue to present ourselves as Rwandans in all our struggles and achieve good results”

And another:

“Wash your hands often, avoid greetings, avoid going to crowded places, stand at a distance, and so on.  We urge everyone to follow health guidelines (as well as good reminders)”

We wonder what this will mean.  How will Rwanda cope? Will schools close? Will we be sent home?

Later that evening there is another message from the Ministry of Health that all places of worship and schools will be closed and that people are to work from home where possible and practice social distancing.  The country attempts to keep some businesses like cafes and restaurants open.  It seems like they're prepared and have things under control.