Suriname: Restrictive COVID-19 measures to be extended until April 26 /update 3

Event

On Friday, April 10, President Desi Bouterse announced that all restrictive measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Suriname will be extended by another 14 days, until Sunday, April 26. This includes a nationwide curfew in effect between 20:00 and 06:00 (local time), initially due to expire on Sunday, April 12, whereby people are not allowed to leave their residence with the exception of essential health, safety, and infrastructure personnel.

Other measures remain in place across the country, including a ban on public gatherings of more than ten people. Reports also suggest that nightclubs are closed, bars and restaurants are only selling food and drink to take out, and licenses for tour buses have been revoked. All scheduled international flights to and from the country have also been suspended, and land and ferry border crossings are closed.

To date, ten cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Suriname, including one fatality. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.