By Nsunjo Erica
President of DR Congo Felix Tshisekedi lifted a health emergency he declared in March over the coronavirus outbreak and ordered a reopening of businesses, schools, and borders and permitted a resume of public gatherings.
President Tshisekedi’s government proclaimed a health emergency on March 24 in which borders were closed, as well as schools, bars, and restaurants as a measure to help in the combating of COVID-19 spread.
In a televised speech on Tuesday, the president announced an end to the emergency and said that from Wednesday all shops, banks, restaurants, and bars would be allowed to reopen, public transport can resume and large gatherings are permitted.
DR Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi added that Schools and universities can reopen on August 3, and airports, ports, borders, and places of worship on August 15.
Tshisekedi said the COVID-19 recorded figures place the Democratic Republic of Congo as the ninth worst-hit country in Africa in terms of the number of cases and 12th in terms of deaths.
President Tshisekedi, therefore, warned his citizens that the end of the state of emergency does not mean the end of the COVID-19 epidemic in our country, reminding citizens to wear masks in public and wash their hands frequently.
The Democratic Republic Of Congo as a country of more than 80 million people has recorded 8,534 infections including 196 deaths since March 10.
Neighboring countries like Uganda, President Museveni on Tuesday addressed the nation and announced several measures which included opening up the economy by allowing businesses to resume operations although airports and borders remain closed.
As for the COVID-19 situation in Tanzania, the country has not released official case numbers since April 29 and unlike its neighbors, did not take any measures to combat the virus because according to President Magufuli, Tanzania is COVID-19 free.
As for Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta Speaking during his most awaited national address suspended the existing cessation of movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties, Opened airports and borders and extended curfew.