Major African countries update regarding Covid 19 active cases and lockdown status as of April 23 as of 6:00 GMT:
Confirmed cases = 25,940
Number of deaths = 1,240
Recoveries = 6,968
Infected countries = 52
Virus-free countries = 2 (Lesotho, Comoros)
ANGOLA
Lockdown is effective from 20 March, all Angolan borders were closed for 15 days. President João Lourenço banned all arrivals at airports and stopped passenger vessels docking at Angolan ports for 15 days. All these bans lasted until 4 April.
(Active cases: 25)
GHANA
After three weeks, Ghana lifted the coronavirus lockdown in its two biggest cities, Accra and Kumasi on Monday April 20th. A lockdown of the two worst affected metropolitan areas had been in place since March 30, 2020. However, non-essential businesses also will now be allowed to open while wearing of masks. But there are still bans on large gatherings and schools will remain closed.
(Active cases: 1154)
ZAMBIA
Zambia‘s president Edgar Lungu announced the government wouldn’t close its borders unlike other Sub-Saharan nations, as this would lead to an economic meltdown. In addition, he suspended all international flights except those landing and departing from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in the capital, Lusaka. He has also ordered the closure of gyms, bars, casinos and night clubs. Yet, “essential businesses dealing in goods and services will be kept running”.
(Active cases: 74)
MALAWI
Malawi Health Minister has declared a 21-day lockdown that came into effect at midnight on April 18th and runs till midnight on May 9th.
(Active cases: 23)
SOUTH AFRICA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced on April 22nd, a slight easing of the nationwide lockdown that has been in place since March 27. Starting from May 1st, the lockdown will move from the current level 5 to level 4, in which some business will be allowed to resume operations under strict conditions.
(Active cases: 3635)
TANZANIA
President John Magufuli on April 22 has ruled out the possibility of locking down the commercial hub, Dar es Salaam because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. He added that Dar es Salaam is the only center where we collect almost 80 per cent of the country’s revenue, so we can continue taking all measures to curb the virus but not by locking down Dar es Salaam.
(Active cases: 284)
NIGERIA
Government has announced two weeks of lockdown till 28th of April and they will decide further depending upon the situation. The restrictions announced not apply to hospitals and stores selling essential items such as groceries and medicine.
(Active cases: 873)
SENEGAL
In Senegal, President Macky Sall declared a state of health emergency on March 23: a curfew is imposed between 8 pm and 6 am, during which the population is forbidden to roam the streets. The lockdown is therefore limited to certain hours only.
(Active cases: 442)
KENYA
Kenya is not under complete lockdown but government has imposed curfew between 7 pm to 5 am, during which the population is forbidden to roam the streets. The country is in a partial lockdown after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the closure of schools and imposed sweeping travel restrictions between cities. There is no specified date for when these restrictions will end.
(Active cases: 303)
UGANDA
Uganda is under complete lockdown till 5th May,2020. The country is currently in the middle of a 21-day lockdown and curfew.
(Active cases: 74)
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is reluctant to initiate a strict lockdown, which the World Health Organization recommends helping to slow down the spread of the virus. Authorities in Ethiopia have closed schools, banned public gathering and suggested most employees to work from home.
(Active cases: 116)
MOROCCO:
Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus until May 20. Lockdown measures imposed on March 20 mean 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.
(Active cases: 3446)
EGYPT
Egyptian authorities ordered a nationwide night-time i.e. 8 p.m. and run until 6 a.m. curfew to narrow the COVID-19 outbreak, the curfew went into effect March 25 in Egypt. But, starting from Friday April 24th, the the curfew will start at 9 p.m. instead for the holy fasting month of Ramadan by allowing more businesses to reopen and shortening a night-time curfew.