Police on Saturday, June 19 arrested at least 88 people who were caught attending a wedding reception, in violation of Covid-19 protocols. The reception was being held at a place called Green Mountain Biking Garden, a famous facility located in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District. According to Police, the wedding was in respect of one Saidi Codo Buregeya and Thausie Nyampundu. When contacted for a comment, RNP spokesperson Commissioner of Police John Bosco Kabera described the practice as ‘reckless behavior’ especially with the current surge of cases being recorded daily. Kabera decried that apart from the bride and groom, the rest of the group did not test for Covid-19 as a prerequisite for attending an event. This, he said, is in addition to violation of physical and social distancing guidelines on Covid-19. “They have been arrested and have now been taken to Amahoro National Stadium to face penalties, Kabera added, “Now is not the time to be complacent, we have been seeing a surge in cases, and this will only make the situation harder.” Asked whether police would exempt those who had tested for Covid-19, he said that everyone who had taken part in the event was subject to all the penalties. “Besides being taken to the stadium, they will all have to pay fines, and the brides will pay an even higher fine compared to the attendees.” A week ago, the government announced that civil and religious weddings will not exceed 30 people and that local authorities should have to be informed prior to the event. All participants are required to test and present negative results for Covid-19. This is part of the new measures that were imposed to mitigate the current spread of the pandemic, which officials have called ‘worrying numbers.’
