Major African countries update regarding COVID 19 active cases and lockdown status as of June 19th:-
- Confirmed cases = 267,818
- Number of deaths = 7,219
- Recoveries = 123,054
- Active cases = 137,545
Nigeria- Lagos state announced that the reopening of places of worship would be delayed. Domestic flights in Nigeria are scheduled to resume from Sunday, June 21.
South Africa- South Africa has opted to ease lockdown restrictions further even though coronavirus cases are beginning to rise rapidly, parts of the leisure industry will reopen soon.
Libya- The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) extension the lockdown in the areas it controls for a further ten days until Saturday, June 27.
Kenya- It is expected that air travel will be fully operational by the third quarter of the year. The airline sees the move as the best-case scenario but warns that the ultimate length of suspension of the flight business is still uncertain.
Morocco- Zone one, which currently includes predominantly rural provinces and prefectures, will see restrictions eased significantly, with the lifting of movement restrictions within the region and the reopening of some non-essential businesses. zone two, which covers all major cities including Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, although opening hours for essential businesses have been extended until 20:00 (local time).
Ethiopia- Elections planned for May this year were also postponed citing the effect of the pandemic.
Senegal- The Government of Senegal extended the current State of Emergency through July 2, Under the new rules, curfews will run from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am, shaving two hours off the current restrictions.
Detailed updates are as below:
NIGERIA
On Tuesday, June 16, authorities in Lagos state announced that the reopening of places of worship, which were closed as a precaution to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), would be delayed. Mosques and churches were expected to reopen on Friday, June 19, but will now remain closed until further notice. As of Wednesday, June 17, places of worship in the rest of Nigeria are to reopen on Friday as planned.
Interstate travel remains restricted, although domestic flights in Nigeria are scheduled to resume from Sunday, June 21. Flights will initially depart from Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), Lagos Murtala Mohammed International Airport (LOS), Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN), Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC), and Owerri Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (QOW). Other airports will be permitted to operate following further review. The government offered no comment on when international flights will be permitted, with only emergency and cargo flights currently operating.
The use of face masks in public places and social distancing rules remain in place. Businesses such as bars, gyms, clubs, and spas are still closed. Restrictions on movement between 22:00 and 04:00 (local time) are also in place, with the exception of the transporting of agricultural produce, manufactured goods, petroleum products, and other essential goods. Public employees have been advised to remain at home unless they are providing essential services.
(Active cases: 18480)
SOUTH AFRICA
In the face of a deteriorating economic situation, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has opted to ease lockdown restrictions further even though coronavirus cases are beginning to rise rapidly. In the past week alone, the number has increased by 37%.
The president highlighted the need to preserve peoples’ livelihoods, as a result he said that parts of the leisure industry will reopen soon. At the end of March, the country entered into one of the strictest lockdown regimes in the world, almost all movement outside was restricted, and the sale of cigarettes and alcohol was banned. Nevertheless, sit-down restaurants, casinos, hotels and hairdressers, among other businesses will now be able to reopen, which could see half a million people going back to work but no date was set for when this will happen. At the beginning of the month, the key mining sector as well as manufacturing businesses were allowed to return to normal production levels. People were also allowed outside and the ban on the sale of alcohol to drink at home was lifted between Monday and Thursday.
South Africa’s economy has taken a massive knock as a result of months of lockdown and the further easing of restrictions will be welcome relief to struggling small business owners. Following further discussions with industry representatives on stringent prevention protocols, and after advice from scientists and consultation with Premiers, Cabinet has decided to ease restrictions on certain other economic activities like Restaurants for ‘sit-down’ meals, Accredited and licensed accommodation with the exception of home sharing accommodation like Airbnb, Conferences and meetings for business purposes and in line with restrictions on public gatherings, Cinemas and theatres, to be aligned to limitations on the gathering of people, Casinos, Personal care services, including hairdressers and beauty services, Non-contact sports such as golf, tennis, cricket and others while contact sports will be allowed only for training and modified activities with restricted use of facilities.
(Active cases: 83890)
GHANA
Ghana is West Africa’s most impacted nation behind Nigeria. President Akufo-Addo in his tenth address announced that whiles borders remained closed, some categories of academic institutions are allowed to resume, religious places can also reopen with strict conditions and the observance of health protocols. Social gatherings -weddings, funerals etc. – are to be allowed under certain conditions. As the 2020 polls loom, even political activity is allowed to be undertaken.
From Friday, June 5, schools have reopened for final year students, and conferences, weddings, burials, non-contact sport, and political activities, all with less than 100 participants, are permitted to resume. Also, Faith-based organizations allowed to start communal worship, effective Friday, June 5, amid social distancing and hygiene protocols, all schools, both private and public remain closed. Only final year students access those facilities. Each student, teacher and non-teaching staff will be provided with reusable face mask by the Ministry of Education prior to reopening for final year students. Festivals, sporting events, nightclubs, cinemas, and political rallies will remain banned, and the closure of Ghana’s borders has been extended indefinitely.
All vehicles undertaking intra-city travel must reduce their number of passengers to observe social-distancing measures. It is mandatory for all individuals to wear face masks in public in the Greater Accra Region and in Cape Coast Metropolis.
(Active cases: 12929)
LIBYA
The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) announced on Wednesday, June 17, that it would be extending the lockdown in the areas it controls for a further ten days until Saturday, June 27, in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The decision comes as the number of cases continues to rise daily nationwide. Following advice from health authorities, the daily curfew which is in effect between 20:00 and 06:00 (local time) will also be extended during this time and a 24-hour curfew will be imposed for Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20. Health authorities have also recommended that facemasks be made compulsory to be worn by all individuals.
Land and sea border crossing points within GNA territory were closed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday, March 16. All mosques, schools, restaurants, wedding halls, parks, and shops remain closed as a precaution.
(Active cases: 510)
KENYA
Kenya has recorded its highest single-day increase in new COVID-19 infections after the health ministry announced 184 new cases. The Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Rashid Aman, announced the figure in a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday. Aman said the East African country’s numbers were increasing because of community transmission, noting that one more county had registered a case of the disease. 40 of Kenya’s 47 counties have recorded COVID-19 cases even as the government reiterates calls for stronger measures in the county level. Kenya has now reported a total of 4,044 COVID-19 infections with 107 deaths.
In a bid to stop further spread of COVID-19, the Kenyan government imposed a nationwide curfew and a partial lockdown, but these measures were eased last month as the country’s economy took a battering from the restrictions. Schools, churches, and institutions were also ordered shut as the government banned public gatherings. The current set of restrictions is due to end in early July, but fears remain the situation may not be contained by then. Kenya Airways (KQ) plans to resume passenger flights as soon as the government lifts a travel ban that had been imposed on international flights on March 22, ending months of lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that air travel will be fully operational by the third quarter of the year. The airline sees the move as the best-case scenario but warns that the ultimate length of suspension of the flight business is still uncertain. Discussions with key industry stakeholders are going on in relation to a safe return to passenger routes, the airline says. The airline has been operating only cargo flights for essentials services such as medicine, but it has not been enough to sustain business given that it was already a loss territory before the coronavirus pandemic.
(Active cases: 4044)
MOROCCO
Morocco’s government was expected to further ease lockdown measures in the North African country from Wednesday while extending the public health state of emergency, according to informed sources at the interior ministry. Zone one, which currently includes predominantly rural provinces and prefectures, will see restrictions eased significantly, with the lifting of movement restrictions within the region and the reopening of some non-essential businesses. Parks and other public spaces will also be reopened, although public gatherings and events remain prohibited. More stringent restrictions will remain in place in zone two, which covers all major cities including Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, although opening hours for essential businesses have been extended until 20:00 (local time). Movement restrictions within zone two areas remain in effect and permits are required for essential travel. Public gatherings and events also remain prohibited.
(Active cases: 8997)
ZAMBIA
Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu says he will not authorize the re-opening of bars and nightclubs despite mounting pressure. Zambia currently has a total of 1,382 positive coronavirus cases out of 45,248 tests conducted. A total of 1,142 people have recovered while 11 have died from the virus. Mr Lungu ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs two months ago in a bid to fend off rising cases of Covid-19.He now says that although he has received recommendations for the re-opening of bars and nightclubs from stakeholders, such a decision will be guided by socio-economic and health considerations. The Government of Zambia has suspended all tourist visas until further notice.
(Active cases: 1412)
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is one of East / Horn of Africa’s least impacted nations as compared to rate of COVID-19 case growth and infection of its neighbors. A state of emergency lasting five-months has been imposed by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led government. All land borders have since been shut as a virus control measure with a raft of restrictions and enforcement of physical distancing and mask wearing measures. Elections planned for May this year were also postponed citing the effect of the pandemic. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights due to this pandemic.
(Active cases: 3759)
SENEGAL
The Government of Senegal extended the current State of Emergency through July 2, Under the new rules, curfews will run from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am, shaving two hours off the current restrictions. Senegalese President Macky Sall announced the re-opening of mosques and churches and the easing of other restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus, even as the largest one-day jump in cases was recorded on Monday. Sall ordered places of worship closed in March and imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew. Since then, the daily pace of new cases has picked up, 177 on Monday from a previous high of 104, with increasing community transmission in hotspots such as the holy city of Touba. Schools will remain closed until further notice. On May 30, the Government of Senegal extended the suspension of all international air travel (with limited exceptions) through June 30, 2020. Land borders are closed.
(Active cases: 5369)
RWANDA
Rwanda says it will announce new restrictions on containing the coronavirus Tuesday, a stark reversal of the country’s plan days ago to ease restrictions, including motor vehicle travel throughout the country. Rwanda’s latest move is linked to the east African country’s first recorded death from the coronavirus and a surge in cases over the weekend. Public transport in Rusizi and Rubavu districts remains closed. Borders remain closed. Rwanda also decided to continue restrictions on motor vehicle travel between provinces and the City of Kigali in an effort to protect the public from the spread of the virus.
(Active cases: 639)
UGANDA
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has announced new measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 as it plans the reopening of the country’s Entebbe International Airport. Only humanitarian, evacuation and cargo flights are allowed. The government has not announced when the airport would be opened but it has started easing the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Public and private transport, shops, restaurants and hotels are all reopened. Public gatherings, worship centers and schools remain closed, and a night curfew is still in place. While the country is easing the restrictions, Covid-19 cases are increasing and the national tally is 657, including 118 recoveries. No death has been registered, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
(Active cases: 732)
ANGOLA
Citizens are urged to stay at home where possible, but some commercial activities are allowed to resume, under certain health conditions. Permitted capacities in workplaces will gradually increase in incremental phases between May 26 and July 27. Restaurants are allowed to reopen at lunchtime between Monday and Saturday and until 22:30 from June 8. Establishments must ensure diners are spaced two meters (6 ft) apart, tables are limited to four people, and the restaurant is under 50 percent capacity. Markets and street vendors can operate between 06:00 and 15:00(local time), with buyers and sellers required to wear face masks and maintain social distance. Informal markets with a large concentration of people are prohibited. Hotels may reopen but temperature checks will be mandatory at the entrance and stringent cleaning policies must be adhered to. Nightlife establishments remain closed until further regulations are approved.
Recreational, cultural, and leisure activities will resume in three phases. From June 8, museums, theaters, monuments, exhibitions, fairs, and art galleries are operating. Libraries will reopen on July 13, and cinemas from July 31. In all cases rooms will be limited to 50 percent capacity, face masks will be mandatory, and social distance must be maintained.
All commercial flights to and from Angola have been suspended indefinitely since March 20 and Angola’s borders remain closed. However, under the new state of calamity Angolan nationals and foreign residents can now return, subject to medical checks.
(Active cases: 166)
GAMBIA
President Adama Barrow announced on Wednesday, June 10, that The Gambia’s public health emergency in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been extended by 21 days until July 1. The move follows the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions on June 4, with religious services allowed to resume with social distancing measures in place, and markets authorized to open between 06:00 and 18:00 (local time).
All flights in and out of The Gambia, apart from medical and air freight operations, were suspended on March 23. The land border with Senegal has also been closed except to essential supplies and security personnel. Restrictions have been placed on public transport and passengers in private vehicles are limited to no more than half capacity. Vehicles carrying commercial goods are only allowed to have one passenger in the cabin. Ferries and commercial boats can only operate between the hours of 06:00 and 19:00 daily.
(Active cases: 36)
MOZAMBIQUE
The Mozambican Government announced a continuation of the Level-3 State of Emergency until June 30. Some of the measures include use of face masks in all public places, on public and private communal transport, and in any gathering of people, continued closure of all schools, prohibition of cultural, recreational, and sports activities in public spaces, closure of entertainment establishments, including museums, theaters, libraries, bars, pools, and gyms, closure of all beaches for leisure activities with the exception of physical fitness activities, suspension of religious services and celebrations in all places of worship, reduction of workforce to 1/3 present at work place with turnover of teams every 15 days, continued business at markets from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. subject to recommendation of competent health authorities and implementation of prevention and control measures within the markets.
Mozambique’s civil aviation authority has suspended international passenger flights until further notice.
(Active cases: 662)
TANZANIA
President John Pombe Magufuli has ordered that all schools across the country be reopened at the end of this month. He gave the directives during a speech at the dissolution of the 11th parliament yesterday.
The order comes weeks after universities and other institutions of learning resumed teaching and learning activities with strict guidelines.
The president said with continuous drop in coronavirus cases, there was no need to keep schools closed. He, however, tasked members of the public to adhere to health and hygiene protocols.
Schools were shut in March due to the coronavirus outbreak. The latest order means Tanzania becomes the first in the region to order a full reopening of schools. Weeks back, international air space was opened with government having declared victory over the virus.
(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: 592)
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: 2719)