Rwanda Denies DRC Border Closure

The border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains open.

A temporary closure was instituted yesterday while measures were put in place in response to additional cases of Ebola being identified in the DRC border city of Goma. 

Measures instituted include screening procedures and public safety checks at the border, which provides a crossing for thousands of citizens every day.

At a national level Rwanda has also undertaken a number of drills for health workers, emergency responders and hospitals in preparation for a possible spread of the disease. More than 23,600 medical personnel, police officers and volunteers have received training and a countrywide sensitisation campaign has been conducted.

Following reports yesterday that Rwanda had closed the border the Congolese government described the move as a unilateral decision that “runs counter to the advice of the World Health Organisation.”

While the Rwandan Minister of Health Diane Gashumba has reiterated that the border will remain open, she advised against unnecessary travel to Goma.

After a first case of Ebola was recorded in the city of two million in mid-July no additional new cases were reported until a second death was confirmed earlier this week. A third case has since been recorded.