Major African countries update regarding COVID 19 active cases and lockdown status as of May 22nd :-
- Confirmed cases = 95,482
- Number of deaths = 3,000
- Recoveries = 38,120
- Active cases = 54,362
Angola- The new measures come as the government started to relax COVID-19 restrictions from Monday, May 11.
Zambia- Zambia reopens its borders with Tanzania from May 11, 2020 as Zambia reopens gradually with safety measures.
Tanzania- Tanzanian authorities lifted restrictions on international commercial flights from May 18th.
Mozambique- Mozambiqueextended the state of emergency until May 30thwhile flights remains suspended till May 31st.
Uganda- Kampala lockdown scheduled to be lifted on 3rd June.
Morocco- Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus until June 10.
Algeria- Algeria has imposed a 5 pm to 7 am curfew in Algiers, Oran, Bejaia, Setif, Tizi Ouzou, Tipaza, Tlemcen, Ain Defla, and Medea, and a 2 pm to 7 am curfew in Blida. All other wilayas are under curfew from 7 pm to 7 am.
Ghana- A month since Ghana opened, COVID 19 cases crosses 6000 mark.
Detailed updates are as below:
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa, which has the highest number of confirmed infections on the continent, eased some restrictions on 1 May almost five weeks after imposing a stringent lockdown while a ban on travel across provincial borders without proof of employment or for other essential purposes, a limit of three people per private vehicle, and taxis must operate at 70 percent capacity or below. Restaurants are only allowed to provide delivery services and some retailers can reopen, including clothes shops, hardware stores, and wholesalers. The agricultural sector is permitted to resume full operations and mining can partially resume. Businesses resuming operations must comply with certain health regulations, such as set workforce capacities, providing hand sanitizers, and ensuring social distance is maintained. Schools will be allowed to reopen on 1 June. The government’s Covid-19 modelling team presented forecasts showing a peak in active cases in early July under the pessimistic scenario, or a peak in early August under the optimistic scenario. Short-term protections are updated on a weekly basis while long-term projections are due to be updated at the beginning of June.
(Active cases: 18003)
ANGOLA
Angolan authorities placed the Hoji Ya Henda suburb of Luanda on lockdown on Wednesday, May 13, after a number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were confirmed in the neighborhood. The new measures come as the government started to relax COVID-19 restrictions from Monday, May 11. Security forces have been deployed to the neighborhood and around 3000 residents will reportedly be tested for the virus.
Under the relaxed restrictions, markets and street vendors in Luanda may operate from 06:00 until 14:00 (local time) from Tuesday to Saturday. Public transportation services will run from 05:00 to 18:00 at 50 percent of seating capacity. Civil services can operate daily between 08:00 and 18:00 at 50 percent staff. A state of emergency remains in place until Monday, May 25.
Establishments including schools, restaurants, bars, libraries, leisure facilities, and places of worship remain closed. Mandatory quarantine measures and compulsory COVID-19 testing remains in place and individuals will be required to wear face masks in public areas and on public transportation. All international flights to and from Angola have been suspended indefinitely since March 20.
(Active cases: 58)
NIGERIA
Nigerian state has been on an extended lockdown and is among the areas with the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. Nigeria’s government has said it’s still too risky to further relax restrictions aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus. Monday was when the first phase of gradual lockdown easing was due to end in the cities of Abuja, Lagos and in Ogun state. But officials now say they will maintain it for further two weeks. Nigeria’s Nasarawa state has lifted its ban on religious gatherings for two weeks after which it will be reviewed. After two weeks the state government will consider if the ban will be lifted permanently. This means airports, land borders, schools, parks, and places of worship will remain closed. Large gatherings and interstate travel remain banned. A daily nationwide curfew from 20:00 to 06:00 (local time) remains in force. A ban on domestic flights is in effect until Sunday, June 7. The total lockdown that was imposed in Kano state weeks ago following reports of unexplained deaths also remains in place. But government offices, banks and markets will continue to operate for limited hours.
(Active cases: 6677)
ZAMBIA
Zambia reopened its Nakonde border with Tanzania on Friday for cargo after a five-day closure of the transit point for exports and fuel imports, but people were not allowed to cross. The partial lockdown is in place since May 8 with confinement measures, allowing certain businesses to reopen. Cinemas, restaurants, and gyms will be allowed to resume operations, and authorities are considering reopening hotels and lodges. However, bars remain closed and it is mandatory to wear face masks in public places. Public gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, and authorities have advised citizens to avoid all nonessential foreign travel. Cross border public passenger services, railway passenger services, international flights and cross border cargo transportation are also suspended, although those carrying essential commodities will be allowed into the country. Students who are sitting for exams will return to class on Monday, June 1.
(Active cases: 832)
TANZANIA
On Monday, May 18, Tanzanian authorities lifted restrictions on international commercial flights and systematic quarantine measures imposed on passengers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). International commercial flights have been suspended into and out of Tanzanian airports since Sunday, April 12, with only cargo flights exempt. Now all scheduled and unscheduled flights are free to arrive and depart. The mandatory 14-day quarantine period for those arriving into the country has been removed and only those who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be placed in quarantine unless they have proof of a negative test. Social distancing measures remain in place in Tanzania, including a ban on public gatherings, the closure of schools, and the suspension of sports competitions. The majority of bars, restaurants, and hotels have closed voluntarily, although many restaurants are offering takeaway services.
(Active cases: 509)
MALAWI
Malawi was one of the last countries in the world to announce its first case of Covid-19. But ever since, it has been embroiled in a constitutional row about a lockdown the government wants to impose to tackle the pandemic. The High Court took the unprecedented step of blocking the government’s plans who wanted to impose another 21 days lockdown after May 9th until more had been done to help those worst affected. Now, President Peter Mutharika has announced an emergency cash transfer program for the poorest people in what is one of the world’s poorest countries. The government will target 172,000 households, who will receive a monthly payment equivalent to almost $50 (£40) through mobile money transfer from Friday. The Malawi Department of Civil Aviation announced that all international flights to and from Malawi will be suspended until further notice.
(Active cases: 71)
ALGERIA
Algeria has banned all types of gatherings of more than two persons, including the weekly “hirak” demonstration that have taken place for the last 12 months. All houses of worship are closed, including for Friday prayers. All cultural, sporting, and commercial events are suspended. All Algerian schools, universities, public transportation, restaurants, and cafes (in large cities), public baths, event halls, and nightclubs are closed. Other measures include requiring citizens to wear a protective mask when in public. Algeria has imposed a 5 pm to 7 am curfew in Algiers, Oran, Bejaia, Setif, Tizi Ouzou, Tipaza, Tlemcen, Ain Defla, and Medea, and a 2 pm to 7 am curfew in Blida. All other wilayas are under curfew from 7 pm to 7 am. However, the government is reinforcing lockdown measures over the Eid el Fitr holiday, projected to be on May 23-24 or May 24-25. The curfew will be extended from 1 pm until 7 am the following day in all provinces. All vehicular traffic during the two-day holiday is banned.
(Active cases: 7542)
MOZAMBIQUE
President Felipe Nyusi has also extended the state of emergency until Saturday, May 30, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities have urged residents to stay home, except for essential reasons. The use of face masks is mandatory on public and private communal transport and at gatherings. Schools remain closed; cultural, recreational, and sports activities in public spaces remain prohibited. Entertainment establishments, including museums, theaters, libraries, bars, and gyms, are shut as a precautionary measure. Beaches are closed for leisure activities except for fishing. Authorities have also suspended religious services and celebrations at all places of worship. Markets will operate from 06:00 to 1700 (local time), subject to the approval of health authorities. Individuals who do not comply with the measures may be punished under criminal law. On Tuesday, May 12, Mozambique’s Civil Aviation Authority extended the current suspension of all international flights until Sunday, May 31, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). National Carrier LAM Mozambique Airlines continues to operate domestic flights and cargo flights are still permitted. Only Mozambican citizens or foreign residents can return to the country and will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.
(Active cases: 156)
GHANA
A month after Ghana lifted the coronavirus lockdown, the case count has surpassed 6000 mark. The tallies showed that four regions had recorded increases: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions. The president announced that, “despite its disruption to everyday life, it must not hinder lives and economy of the country. The virus is here but we must find a way to live with it with self-discipline and protocols. Now, essential, and non-essential businesses are now allowed to open while wearing of masks. All vehicles undertaking intracity travel like trotros, taxis, and busses are advised to reduce their number of passengers to observe social distancing, all businesses and supermarkets will be enforcing social distancing measures while schools will remain completely closed. President announced the extension of the closure of the country’s international borders till May 31, the measure also affects international commercial flights, which will not operate over this period. Citizens returning from abroad and foreign nationals with Ghanaian residence permits will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period if they show symptoms of the virus. The domestic flights in Ghana resumed from May 1 with precautionary measures, such as safe distancing.
(Active cases: 6269)
UGANDA
Kampala lockdown is scheduled to be lifted on 3rd June. Uganda banned the use of public and private transport in late March to curb the spread of COVID-19. With the ban on cars, the country has seen a boom in demand for bicycles. Uganda’s March lockdown to curb the virus included a ban on motor vehicles — both public and private — for nonessential personnel. Uganda has suspended all its international flight until further notice.
(Active cases: 264)
KENYA
As Kenya continues to report more cases of Covid-19, the government nonetheless says it is making progress in containing further spread of the virus. In a virtual address at the 73rd World Health Assembly, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said that the country was “making significant and steady progress” towards flattening the curve. Last Friday May 15, President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the lockdown by another 21 days owing to the rise of new infections. Borders are shut and flights are restricted. No travel to or from the capital Nairobi and parts of the city’s neighboring counties. Such measures also apply to some coastal counties.
(Active cases: 1029)
MOROCCO
Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus until June 10, Prime Minister Saad Dine El Otmani said on Monday, as the rise of hotspots within families and factories complicates efforts to curb infections people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops, and all entertainment venues have been closed. Morocco has made wearing masks mandatory, with those who fail to do so at risk of being fined or jailed. Morocco suspended day all international passenger flights to and from its airports as a protective measure against the spread of coronavirus.
(Active cases: 7133)
LIBYA
The Government announced on Thursday, April 23, that the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) curfew will be modified and the new curfew was implemented on Monday, April 27, that from 18:00 to 06:00 (local time), and individuals are permitted to operate vehicles which was banned during the previous curfew. All mosques, schools, restaurants, wedding halls, parks, and shops are also closed as a precaution. Areas under control of the House of Representatives (HoR) have a curfew from 18:00 to 06:00 during Ramadan. It is unclear as to how long the measure will remain in place. Land and sea border crossing points within GNA territory were closed.
(Active cases: 69)
RWANDA
Rwanda has loosened restrictions after 45 days of coronavirus lockdown. Markets will open for essential vendors not exceeding 50% of registered traders. Hotels and restaurants will open and close by 7 p.m., but meetings in public spaces and mass gatherings are prohibited Under the new guidelines, the government announced a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Borders will also remain closed except for cargo as well as returning Rwandans and legal citizens, who will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The new guidelines restrict funeral gatherings to not more than 30 people, while public and private transport between different provinces and the city of Kigali is not permitted. Schools will remain closed until September as well as places of worship, bars and recreation centers.
(Active cases: 314)
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is reluctant to initiate a strict lockdown, which the World Health Organization recommends helping to slow down the spread of the virus. All operations that are now allowed per law must be conducted within strict limits of social distancing and observance of other COVID-19 prevention protocols. The state was also the first to get a testing center. Ethiopia is currently under a five-month state of emergency declared earlier this month to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights due to this pandemic.
(Active cases: 389)
SENEGAL
Coronavirus restrictions will be eased in Senegal, President Macky Sall said late on Monday, with night-time curfews shortened and mosques reopened. He said the COVID-19 disease would continue to circulate for at least another three months even under the best-case scenario. Under the new rules, curfews will run from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am, shaving two hours off the current restrictions. Mosques will be reopened for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, and churches will also be allowed to accept worshippers. Markets and businesses, which have only been allowed to open a few days a week during the lockdown, will now only need to be closed for a day’s cleaning each week. Restrictions imposed on public transport will also be eased, though schools will not begin reopening until next month.
(Active cases: 2103)
SOMALIA
On Monday, April 13, General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hajar, Somali commander of police, announced that a nighttime curfew would be implemented in Mogadishu for an indefinite period from Wednesday, April 15 to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The nightly curfew will be in effect between 20:00 and 05:00 (local time). Also, all international flights to and from Somalia are indefinitely suspended.
(Active cases: 1573)