AS the world continues to grapple with the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 3,200 people globally, mainly in China, the Government of Rwanda on Friday urged citizens to stop close body contact as part of efforts to thwart the ominous threat.

In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office called on the public to, among others, avoid shaking hands and close body contact such as hugging, which are predominant cultural customs. 

No case of the deadly virus has been reported in Rwanda so far. However, given the severity of the epidemic and rapidity with which it spreads, the government is not taking chances.

It has decided to "urge all Rwandans to take appropriate precautions and follow the advice of health professionals,” should the worst come to the worst.

Avoiding shaking hands and hugging, people might think, might not come easy considering the fact that people are often reluctant to change their way of doing things especially when it comes to greeting practices and local customs. 

But these are no normal circumstances where COVID-19 is concerned.  

Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Director-General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), told The New Times that: "I think Rwandans and residents in Rwanda care about their health. In a very high-risk situation like this, globally, considering the new coronavirus disease threat, special measures should be followed”.

For Nsanzimana, there is also unintended merit considering that the latest health recommendations also will help prevent other infectious diseases.

"I see this as an opportunity to stop other infectious diseases which are preventable by proper hygiene measures such as avoiding handshakes, touching faces, washing hands with soap and usage of hand sanitizers.”

Within the general public as well, there seems to be general consensus that it should not be difficult to make people change their attitudes or behaviour. 

Andersonne Uwineza, an up and coming musician, confessed she is struggling to adjust, much as she loves hugging, she understands that so much is at stake now.

"Personally I am still struggling with that adjustment. I am realising that I am a big huger but I feel that we, Rwandans, are quite good with change.

"So, I believe we will be able to adapt to change. Especially now.”

Like it or not, COVID-19 has forced changes all over the world. Major international conferences have been cancelled. No country is immune to the threat. 

To contain COVID-19, for example, Japan was compelled to examine some of its longest-held aspects of workplace culture. In a country where spending long hours in the office is still regarded as crucial to success, the government there has urged companies to break long-standing taboos and encourage their employees to work from home to curb the spread of the virus.

In Kigali, Karen Uwera,  chairperson of Rwanda fashion designers association, also noted that she totally agrees with the idea of people refraining from greeting by handshakes and hugs. 

Uwera said: "I totally agree with this, if it happens as a reflex  ensure you use a sanitizer immediately or wash with soap and water.”

"But I think the easiest way is to avoid those hugs and handshakes until coronavirus is declared to no longer be a threat.”

Tharcise Kubwimana, a taxi moto driver, feels scared every time he listens to radio news bulletins on the outbreak and how fast it is spreading "yet no cure or vaccine has been found.”

"For me, I think I am more than ready to do everything I am told so as to avoid a possible outbreak in our country. My only worry is that it seems this disease cannot be easily contained. In our transport business, our passengers are so near us and it is almost like hugging. My wife uses a very crowded bus to get home. 

"I have no problem with avoiding handshakes and hugging but I think there is so much more to do or not do to prevent this disease from spreading.”

Anna Ngarambe, a senior six graduate on vacation, worries that since handshaking is a sign of respect in the Rwandan culture, and a hug a sign of love, things might be a bit difficult.

She said: "After the recommendation for me I think it will be a bit difficult because I can't put myself in a situation where someone is offering a hand and, practically, I show no response. For me it is a sign of disrespect.”

"But in terms of health issues and the current threat, I think that this recommendation should be seriously heeded by the population. It is one of the ways of preventing the virus outbreak.”

In Rwanda, national preparedness and response capacity to deter COVID-19 is continuously being upgraded to ensure early detection and response to any suspected case at all entry points of the country. 

Disinfectant gels, soap and water, are used by people before they enter public places. 

Health authorities are regularly issuing related public health messages through social media and phones. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has now spread to 77 countries, infecting more than 93,000 people and killing more than 3,200, most deaths and cases being in China, where the outbreak began. 

Eight weeks into this COVID-19 outbreak, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead officer of the WHO health emergencies programme, on Wednesday said that they are learning more and more information about the new virus outbreak every day and have identified the virus,  which is an unprecedented achievement.

Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist, added: "We are waiting with bated breath for these serological studies to be done. And it's a matter of weeks before we start to see some of these results.” 

The WHO has issued an urgent plea for more data, urging countries facing outbreaks to test more people, more quickly, to bolster understanding of the disease.

The rise in the outbreak has prompted travel advisories by many countries and international organisations. 

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last weekend recommended that ministers and diplomats skip travelling due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

There is no specific treatment for this disease. The approach used to treat patients with related infections is to treat the clinical symptoms.

Rwanda has, among other measures, set up a test lab at RBC’s National Referral Lab in Kigali. The WHO has issued new guidance for businesses and employers, outlining simple ways to prevent the spread of the virus, and things to consider when employees travel and how to get ready in case of a spread.

The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30.

At a media briefing on COVID-19, on Thursday, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said the fight against rumours and misinformation is a vital part of the battle against this virus. 

"We rely on you to make sure people have accurate information about the threat they face, and how to protect themselves and others,” he told journalists.

How close are we to a vaccine?

There is currently no vaccine available to protect people against the disease. Early last month, the WHO said the vaccine for the virus could be available in 18 months. 

At the end of last week, however, the WHO Director-General said that more than 20 vaccines are in development globally, and several treatment possibilities are in clinical trials.  

According to reports, however, researchers are starting to test vaccines on animals, and if that goes well there could be human trials later in the year. 

But, it is noted, even if scientists could have developed a vaccine before Christmas, there would still be the massive job of mass-production and distribution of such a vaccine.

On Thursday, the IMF announced $50billion of support for countries hit by the coronavirus. The organisation warned that global economic growth was now expected to be below the 2.9% rate for 2019.

The World Bank Group earlier on Tuesday pledged to avail an initial package of up to $12 billion in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak. 

Through this new fast track package, the WB will help developing countries strengthen health systems, including better access to health services to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions, and work with the private sector to reduce the impact on economies.