RDB urges hoteliers to pay extra precaution on hygiene amidst Coronavirus outbreak

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has called on all working within the service sector to take extra precautions and ensure cleanliness too.   

Head of Department for Tourism Regulation at RDB, Emmanuel Nsabimana calls for extra precaution amongst service providers. 

Nsabimana said: "We have asked hoteliers and other service providers to improve their hygiene starting with their employees, no we do not have coronavirus but we have to take precautions. Water and soap or even sanitizers should easily be available,"

According to RDB Coronavirus has not affected tourism revenues. Rwanda's national carrier, Rwandair, has however suspended flights to and from China. 

Across section of hôteliers, bar and restaurant owners say that they are ready to fight any outbreak including coronavirus even though there are no reported cases in the country.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China has reached at least 1,868 with 72,436 infections confirmed.

The coronavirus - known as COVID-19 - spreads from person to person in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.

Droplets of bodily fluids - such as saliva or mucus - from an infected person are dispersed in the air or on surfaces by coughing or sneezing.

These droplets can come into direct contact with other people or can infect those who pick them up by touching infected surfaces and then their face.