Mauritania: Authorities announce travel ban for Nouakchott and Kiffa (Assaba region) May 19 /update 5

Event

On Tuesday, May 19, Mauritanian authorities announced that travel into and out of the capital Nouakchott and in Kiffa (Assaba region) has been banned due to a surge in reported coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Additionally, movements between different regions in the country have also been prohibited, with the exception of movement between Nouakchott-Ouest, Nouakchott-Nord, and Nouakchott-Sud regions.

A nationwide curfew between 21:00 and 06:00 (local time) and a suspension on all flights to and from Mauritania remain in place as of Thursday, May 21. Border crossing points into the country, educational facilities, and all non-essential businesses remain closed. Security forces have reportedly been deployed to enforce the travel restrictions.

As of May 21, there are 141 confirmed COVID-19 cases and four associated deaths nationwide. Further international spread of the virus is to be 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 general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide 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.