– Health experts have warned economies against reopening without a plan urging such moves will result in the second wave of infections
– Several countries in Africa, for instance, Kenya, are developing guidelines that will set the stage for the full roaring back of normalcy
– Most countries are still imposing night curfews and a ban on social gathering to stem the spread of the virus
– Botswana ended its lockdown in its capital Gaborone on June 15 and is planning to reopen schools
– As of Tuesday, June 16, the continent had recorded 254,301 cases of the virus out of which 6,796 were deaths and 116,796 recoveries
Even as health experts warn of a second wave of COVID-19 infections as a result of the resumption of normalcy, several countries in Africa have been lifting certain measures to allow people go back to work.
Among countries setting the stage for normal economic activities to resume are Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana.
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Citizens register ahead of COVID-19 mass testing in Kenya. Photo: MoH.
Source: Facebook
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Some leaders in the continent argue that their economies are on the brink of collapsing as a result of lockdown hence their attempts to safeguard livelihoods while also trying to preserve lives.
1. Kenya
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed players in key sectors in the economy to develop guidelines that would allow businesses to roar back to life citing many families had sunk into destitution.
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The president also launched an economic stimulus package of about KSh 53.7 billion which would be pumped in among other sectors tourism and hospitality which are hardest hit by the pandemic
Among some of the guidelines included a revision of the curfew hours from 7pm to 5am to between 9pm and 4am in a move to allow businesses to have full working shifts.
Also, all public and social gatherings remained banned with burials and weddings limited to 15 people while those not providing essential services were encouraged to stay or work from home
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Guidlines
Learning and religious centres are shut but a committee planning their reopening was formedIt is compulsory to wear a facemask while heading to public spaces
President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to review current containment measures in early July 2020. Photo: State House Kenya.
Source: Facebook
Restaurants have been allowed to operate to latest 7.30pm and also provide take away servicesCessation of movement was halted in Kwale and Kilifi counties but the same is being enforced in Nairobi and Mombasa and Mandera countiesThe Ministry of Health announced plans to open up schools in September 2020.Existing containment measures will be reviewed by President Uhuru in early July.
As of Monday, June 15, Kenya had 3,727 cases of COVID-19 out of which 1,286 were recoveries and 104 deaths.
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2. South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa who had enforced one of the toughest containment measures in the continent has started easing them.
Ramaphosa said the measures had choked South Africa’s economy.
Guidelines
Schools remain closed but plans are afoot to open them upEateries have been allowed to deliver take away foodCitizens have been allowed to go out and exerciseNight curfew is still being enforced
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: Cyril Ramaphosa.
Source: UGC
Main borders remained closedThere was a ban on sale of alcohol to discourage gatherings but it was easedThe army was enlisted to enforce the measures
As of Tuesday, June 16, South Africa had registered 73,533 cases which included 1,568 deaths and 39,867 recoveries.
3. Nigeria
Nigeria started easing restrictions in mid-May in Lagos and Abuja which were slapped with harshest restrictions.
Guidelines
Markets and shops are reopening but their operations are partialSchools and places of worship remained closedTraveling between states is still bannedNight curfew is still being enforcedThose heading in public are required to wear face coverings
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led country had recorded 16,658 cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, June 16. Out of the 16,658 cases, 424 were deaths and 5,349 recoveries.
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4. Tanzania
President John Pombe Magufuli recently declared the country COVID-19 free.
However, the status of the disease in Tanzania remained shrouded in mystery since regular updates were stopped in late April 2020.
Magufuli urged his citizens to continue working normally but exercise high standards of hygiene.
Guidelines
The government lifted the 14 days mandatory quarantine for international visitors to encourage tourismThe arrival of the international flights was reinstated in early June 2020Schools remained closed but plans to reopen them are in top gear according to President MagufuliOther gatherings have been banned save for religious meetings where worshippers are required to exercise social distancing
Latest data from Tanzania showed the country had 509 cases of the respiratory disease which included 21 deaths and 183 recoveries
5. Ghana
Ghana has imposed several containment measures though they are not as tough as those seen elsewhere in the continent.
The measures are being enforced in urban centres that have the highest risk of being an epicentre of the disease in the country.
Guidelines
With rising cases of infections, the country closed down schools, banned gathering and ramped up testing of its populationSome local flights resumed operationsInternational borders remained shut
The President Nana Akufo-Addo-led country had reported 11,964 cases out of which 54 were deaths and 4,258 recoveries as of June 16.
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6. Zimbabwe
With only 387 cases, Zimbabwe does not have very tough containment measures in place.
A lockdown had been imposed but it was lifted in mid-May 2020.
According to the latest data, the country had recorded four deaths and 54 recoveries as of June 16.
7. Rwanda
Rwanda was the first country in the continent to impose a lockdown in March after COVID-19 pandemic hit Africa.
Kigali, however, started relaxing its lockdown in May but has continued to proceed with reopening the economy cautiously with the night curfew remaining in place.
The President Paul Kagame led country had 612 cases out of which 338 were recoveries and two deaths as of June 16.
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8. Botswana
Botswana ended its lockdown in Gaborone on Monday, June 15, and set the stage for reopening of schools and resumption of normalcy.
The national lockdown was ended on May 21.
As of June 16, the country had 60 cases out of which 24 were recoveries and one death.
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