The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has issued new guidelines for taxi-moto operators amid growing novel coronavirus fears.         

Among the guidelines issued in a statement on Monday evening, the regulatory body requires all taxi-moto operators to remove the helmet screens for passengers to limit the possibility of spreading the virus.

Its mandatory for each taxi-moto rider to have two helmets, one for themselves and the other for the passenger, to prevent against deadly road accidents. 

However, following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Rwanda last weekend, fears have emerged that users of taxi-motos could be at high-risk because infected people could transmit the virus through helmet screens, which cover the face. The novel coronavirus, which first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, mostly enter a person's body through the eyes, nose or mouth. 

RURA's decision was announced on the same evening when the Ministry of Health confirmed two new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of infected people in Rwanda to seven, five of whom had arrived in the country over the last couple of days. 

In adddition to removing the protective screen from passengers' helmets, RURA said users should always wrap their head with a cloth-like material to avoid any direct contact with the helmet and further minimise any chance of contracting the pandemic.

"All passengers are asked to carry cloth-like materials so they can avoid contact between them and the helmet” part of the statement reads. The regulator also called on members of tjhe public to avoid unnecessary unnecessary movements.

In the event that one has to travel, it said, "passengers are advised to wash their hands, before and after any travel.” RURA called on taxi-moto cooperatives to provide portable handwashing equipment at their parking stations to help their passengers and members observe recommended hygiene practices. 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses.

Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (such as type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

"If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose,” reads a statement from the WHO.

The novel coronavirus has become a global pandemic with more cases being confirmed in almost every corner of the world.

In Rwanda, the Government has urged residents to continue to observe instructions from health authorities, particularly washing hands regularly, avoiding large gatherings, and reporting any symptoms.

Rwanda is one of the more than 20 African countries to have reported cases of the virus.

Others include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia,Tanzania and Somalia.