Major African countries update regarding COVID 19 active cases and lockdown status as of June 26th:-
- Confirmed cases = 347,836
- Active cases = 172,692
- Recoveries = 166,074
- Number of deaths = 9,070
Nigeria- government announced a $6bn stimulus package to support businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. A committee led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo put forward the proposal.
South Africa- Due to spike in cases in South Africa, Johannesburg and Cape Town, could lead to a return to stricter lockdown measures.
Kenya- Nairobi lockdown has been extended to 7 July. Restrictions on road, rail and air transport to and from the Nairobi Metropolitan area, and Mombasa and Mandera Counties are in place until 7 July. The land borders with Somalia, Uganda and Ethiopia have closed, with the exception of cargo trucks. Ethiopian Airlines will operate a commercial charter flight departing Nairobi (NBO) on Thursday, July 2nd. The flight will route through Addis Ababa to multiple U.S. destinations.
Morocco- The prime minister of Morocco, announced that the country would start easing restrictions that had been put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The prime minister stated that he would lift all restrictions completely by July 10, 2020.
Zambia- Zambian President Edgar Lungu announced the country will further ease its COVID-19 restrictions to spur economic growth
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
government announced a $6bn stimulus package to support businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. A committee led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo put forward the proposal. Meanwhile the federal aviation authority has reported that the Lagos local airport was preparing for the resumption of local flights. Even though local flights were expected to resume this week, authorities announced a postponement according to local media outlets. But for many other Nigerians, their concern is as to when air traffic will be opened for international travel. Currently, the only international airlines flying into the country are those evacuating citizens from across the world and those undertaking humanitarian work like that of most aid agencies.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: 22614)
SOUTH AFRICA
South African authorities have confirmed 101,590 cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 1991 associated deaths. The country is currently at level three of its five-level lockdown approach system, with the list of restrictions associated with each level.
A nighttime curfew remains in place between 20:00 to 05:00 (local time). Interprovincial travel is not permitted except to return to work with proof of employment and in exceptional circumstances, such as funerals (with approval) or essential services. Social gatherings and the sale of tobacco products remain prohibited, and the wearing of face masks in public is compulsory. Although permitted to reopen, stores have to ensure that there is temperature screening of patrons upon entry and that hand sanitizer is available; social distancing measures remain in place. All nonessential domestic travel continues to be discouraged. Domestic flights are now allowed, although air travel for recreational, leisure, or tourism purposes is prohibited.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that spikes of COVID-19 infections in hotspots, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, could lead to a return to stricter lockdown measures.
International travel is suspended indefinitely. Citizens are only allowed to leave their homes for essential needs and must respect social distancing orders.
(Active cases: 118375)
KENYA
Kenya continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic with cases steadily rising each day. Government have locked down a handful of counties including the capital Nairobi and imposed a night-time curfew as part of containment efforts. Kenya is the fourth most impacted country in the East / Horn of Africa region only behind Djibouti, Sudan and Somalia. Government also rolled out mass testing in virus hot spots, borders remain shut and a ban on public gatherings continues. Ethiopian Airlines will operate a commercial charter flight departing Nairobi (NBO) on Thursday, July 2nd. The flight will route through Addis Ababa to multiple U.S. destinations. All international flights are suspended until further notice. Any returning Kenyan residents are subject to self-quarantine or quarantine at a government-designated facility for 14 days upon arrival. Nairobi lockdown has been extended to 7 July. Restrictions on road, rail and air transport to and from the Nairobi Metropolitan area, and Mombasa and Mandera Counties are in place until 7 July. The land borders with Somalia, Uganda and Ethiopia have closed, with the exception of cargo trucks.
(Active cases: 5384)
MOROCCO
The prime minister of Morocco announced that the country would start easing restrictions that had been put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The prime minister stated that he would lift all restrictions completely by July 10, 2020. Morocco has been on lockdown since March 20, 2020. During his meeting with the Parliament on the following day, the prime minister announced that traveling among provinces would be allowed; shops, cafes, and restaurants could open in areas where infection rates were lower; and efforts aimed at recovering local tourism would begin. He added that the easing of the lockdown was made possible because of the sufficient stock of medical equipment, the increase in the number of screenings, and the continuation of the system for tracing COVID-19.
(Active cases: 11338)
ZAMBIA
Zambian President Edgar Lungu announced the country will further ease its COVID-19 restrictions to spur economic growth. After easing some restrictions last month, the Zambian leader announced the reopening of international airports that were closed as part of efforts to contain the pandemic. He said during a national address on the COVID-19 pandemic that the reopening of the international airports was expected to result in the increased flow of international tourists, but called for heightened preventive measures at the three airports.He said bars and night clubs will remain closed until the country starts experiencing favourable weather while the remaining classes in schools and colleges will reopen once the cold season was over.
(Active cases: 1497)
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: 5175)
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: 6233)
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: 821)
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: 15473)
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: 698)
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: 212)
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: 788)
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 “I believe, and I’m certain that many Tanzanians believe, that the corona disease has been eliminated by God,” he told worshippers on Sunday.
Mr Magufuli also commended the priest and worshippers for not wearing gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus.
Also, 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: 960)
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: 2878)