The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has issued guidelines that mobile money agents must follow as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19.

The agents are considered among those offering essential services and so have been allowed to continue their operations during the two-week lockdown that went into force this past weekend.

The lockdown has seen temporary suspension of non-essential businesses, travels between districts of the country, and unnecessary movements of people outside of their homes.

Businesses dealing in services like selling foodstuffs, fuel, and medicine are some of those that are still operating; but under a number of measures prescribed by the health ministry to see that customers are and operators don't pose a risk of further spread of COVID-19.

In a statement released Friday, RURA highlighted a couple of guidelines that mobile money agents must follow while working; including wearing face masks and gloves, and keeping at least a one-metre distance away from the clients.

The agents are also not allowed to give their phones to the customers to enter their numbers while processing transactions, and they (agents) are also urged against touching customers’ phones.

RURA's guidelines also stipulate that two or more mobile money agents are not allowed to work under the same umbrella or cabin.

For telecom service centres, the regulator urged those working there to also avoid touching customers' phones "unless it is the only option to fix the issue."

"Anyone who violates these guidelines is subject to penalties which may include the closure of his or her business,” the statement read.

Rwanda currently has recorded 50 cases of the COVID19 pandemic, and no death reported.

COVID-19 has infected up to 549,604 people globally. 24,863 total deaths have been registered.