Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi
MAPUTO/BANJUL, July 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has announced another 30 days of emergency from Friday midnight in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
This is the second time the country has declared a health emergency since March when it confirmed its first case.
In a televised address on Wednesday night, President Nyusi outlined a phased easing of restrictions.
Phase one starts on Aug 18 with the resumption of classes at higher education institutions, military academies and technical training institutes. Religious gatherings will be allowed but limited to 50 people.
The number of people at funerals will be raised to 50 from 20, except if the deceased died of COVID-19, in which case the number of attendants remains at 10.
In phase two starting September, cinemas, casinos and gyms may reopen.
The third phase starting in October will see final year students in secondary schools resuming classes.
Bars will remain closed indefinitely.
The country has so far confirmed 2,079 cases of coronavirus with 15 deaths.
Meanwhile, in BANJUL, Gambian President Adama Barrow has declared a state of emergency and introduced nationwide night curfew for 21 days as coronavirus cases keep rising.
The president said the borders and airspace will remain closed except for cargo, diplomats and those seeking treatment abroad.
He said the rising cases were “worrisome”, Anadolu news agency reports.
The country has recorded nearly 700 cases including 16 deaths.
The vice-president and three ministers are among those infected by the virus, but the president tested negative on Monday.
Worship places remain closed in the country and schools will only allow final year students to sit for exit examinations from Aug 17.
All markets and shopping areas will close every Sunday for cleaning and fumigation.
Separately, in GABORONE, Botswana’s government has banned the sale of alcohol and suspended all liquor licences.
A gazette notice said the suspension was until further notice. All alcohol selling stores will remain closed.
The reason given for the ban was that alcohol had “negative effects on adherence to Covid-19 protocols”.
Last week, the government reinstated a strict lockdown in the capital, Gaborone, for two weeks to curb rising cases.
The country has to date confirmed 804 coronavirus cases and two deaths. — NNN-AGENCIES
