Since Monday, August 10, RNP has deployed its vehicles and motorcycles mounted with loud speakers to convey the Dos and Don'ts designed to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Vehicles and motorcycles are trekking through markets, trading centres, residential areas and streets spreading safety message to further influence behavioural change and positive actions in line with the government directives and other instructions meant to curb the spread of the pandemic.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the campaign is in line with the current situation when almost all businesses have resumed, but some of them don't follow the safety instructions in provision of their services.
"The government put much effort in containing the virus and created a safe atmosphere for most of the services to resume. However, we can't lean back; the virus is still in our midst and transmitted by the people, who breach the recommended safety behaviours and practices. We are still in a fragile period when individual hygiene and safety choices our sole protection against COVID-19," CP Kabera said.
He observed that there are some individuals and business owners, whose actions still pose a threat to safety, and which can derail the national efforts to fight the pandemic.
"The message is clear; wear a facemask properly covering your mouth and nose at all times you leave your home; wash or sanitize your hands as many times as possible; maintain social distancing... at least one metre between you and another person; there are also safety instructions when in the vehicle or taxi-moto, which must be adhered to."
Social distancing, washing hands before boarding and wearing facemask are also compulsory in public service vehicles.
For those using motos, sanitizing hands, having own fabrics to be worn inside a helmet and paying transport fares using cashless services are the prerequisite.
The campaign also emphasizes the 15 and 30 maximum numbers for civil and religious marriage, respectively.
The directives also provide not more than 30 people for the burial ceremony.
Equally, religious services are only allowed after inspection and upon approval by local leaders, and continuously adhering to safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health; businesses are encouraged to embrace cashless payment systems.
The general public are urged to do away with the culture of shaking hands and hugging; sports activities are done individually and sports businesses prohibited; entertainment, bars, parties and other social gatherings in homes and public places as well as betting businesses are not allowed.
CP Kabera said: "We are still seeing people undermining these safety guidelines, including movements beyond 9PM. As usual, the RNP way of policing is through awareness and education for the people to understand what is required of them; enforcement follows smoothly, as the public takes ownership of the process.
We believe that when people are informed they also make informed and appropriate decisions, and this is the basis of this campaign."
"This is not the time to lean back and relax, but rather a period to take utmost individual responsibility to strengthen prevention actions against COVID-19 in all aspects as we go about our errands."
The public are urged to report any violations on 112 (emergency toll-free line) and 0788311155 (WhatsApp) as well as all other RNP known communication channels including social media platforms.
IGIHE
source https://en.igihe.com/news/article/police-in-fresh-campaign-on-covid-19-prevention-practices
