Twenty companies have been authorized to continue operations amid the country lockdown, the Ministry of Infrastructure has announced.

The announcement made through a public statement on Monday, April 20, highlighted that all the approved companies must use only essential staff, maximize use of machines where possible, and observe prevention and safety measures issued by health officials.

The projects cleared to continue operations on a limited scale include construction of vital health facilities such as construction of Gatonde Hospital, construction of Nyabikenke Hospital, renovation of Kibuye Hospital, construction of Gakoro Health Post in Musanze District and waste water treatment Plant of Bushenge and Muhima Hospitals.

The other health operations given a green light include rehabilitation of Kiziguro Hospital, construction of Nyamicucu Health Centre, rehabilitation of waste treatment plants at the Ministry of Health Head Office, and construction of IRCAD Africa, an original research and training center. (The center is dedicated to the most innovative surgical technique in minimally invasive therapies.

Other activities include 2,704 additional classrooms and 3,648 latrines, construction under the support of the World Bank human capital development project in different districts for quality best education.

The statement also included construction of 6 TVET Schools at the Borders located in Gicumbi district, Burera district, and Nyagatare district. The construction of 19 blocks of G+1 (152 classrooms) buildings located in the following districts; Rusizi, Muhanga, Karongi, Rutsiro, Burera, Gicumbi, Nyagatare, Huye and Rubavu.

Rehabilitation and expansion of Gihira water treatment plant project.  Internal works at Mary Hill Girls Secondary School will also resume and One Strategic Project of Sheraton hotel. In order to avoid deterioration, proper maintenance of planted trees and nurseries at Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park will also resume.

In a bid to reduce land degradation, river sedimentation and flooding in Rustiro and Ngororero districts, the government has also resumed landscape restoration and integrated water resources management in Sebeya river. 4 gullies in Musanze and Burera districts will also resume operations in order to mitigate destructive floods affecting the volcano area.

The announcement emphasized that insurance companies which will continue operating are; Sanlam General, Sanlam life, Sonarwa general, Sonarwa life, Prime general, Prime life, BK general insurance, Britam insurance, MUA insurance, Radiant insurance, UAP insurance and Mayfair insurance.

Before any operation, the Minister of infrastructure through the statement pointed out that "Its mandatory to use masks, wash hands frequently, keep a distance of 1 meter apart, temperature measurement and report any suspected cases of COVID-19”

In addition to the preventive measures, the ministry of infrastructure said that Rwanda National Police will ensure that each approved company does not use more than three vehicles for transportation of workers.

The development follows other 20 domestic companies that have been authorized to turn their facilities into production of personal protective equipment, after the country ordered wearing of face masks in public to mitigate the possible risk of spreading the pandemic.

As part of the measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Rwanda has been on lockdown since March 21.