Côte d’Ivoire: Authorities announce easing of some COVID-19 restrictions in Abidjan May 14 /update 11

Event

Ivorian authorities announced on Thursday, May 14, that the easing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions will begin in Abidjan from Friday, May 15. The current curfew in place between 21:00 to 05:00 (local time) will be removed on May 15 and maquis and restaurants will be allowed to reopen. Schools will be permitted to reopen from Monday, May 25, while bars, nightclubs, and cinemas will remain closed indefinitely. Borders will remain closed until at least Sunday, May 31. The state of emergency is due to expire on Friday, May 15.

All movement of people to and from Abidjan will remain prohibited after the state of emergency expires. Additionally, the use of protective face masks is mandatory in all public places nationwide, and those who do not comply are liable to be sanctioned by the authorities. International flights to and from Côte d'Ivoire also remain suspended indefinitely except for humanitarian and security purposes.

As of Thursday, May 14, health authorities have confirmed 1912 COVID-19 cases and 24 associated deaths in the country. Further 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 labored 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.

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.