Guinea: Authorities announce easing of certain measures September 22 /update 11

Event

On Tuesday, September 22, President Alpha Condé announced the easing of certain measures for the transport, tourism, sports, and culture sectors in place amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Public transport services have already resumed, with restrictions on capacity in Conakry. This measure will be eased, with capacity allowed to return to 100 per cent. Face masks will be required to be worn by all passengers and drivers on public transport. Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, motels, and other entertainment venues are permitted to reopen. Sports activities and professional sport will be permitted to resume, and most cultural activities will also be permitted. Individuals will be required to wear face masks in these establishments, including spectators and organizers at sports facilities and matches. Additional hygiene measures including frequent hand washing and social distancing regulations should be observed by all. Reports also suggest that some establishments will implement temperature checks on arrival.

Individuals remain required to wear face masks in public and private spaces. Violators will be subject to fines. The existing 00:01-04:00 (local time) curfew in Greater Conakry, which includes Conakry, Coyah, and Dubreka, remains in effect. Some places of worship and schools have reopened in areas without recent COVID-19 infections recorded. Limits on group gatherings including for weddings, funerals, and baptism services remain in place.

The state of health emergency remains in place until at least October 15. The state of emergency gives the government the power to implement necessary measures to limit the spread of the disease.

Conakry Gbessia International Airport (CKY) has resumed operations as air borders gradually reopened mid-July for international and domestic flights. All passengers arriving into or departing the country are required to present a negative COVID-19 certificate for a test which has been taken five days prior to travel. Additional screening measures should be expected at airports. Travelers are also required to wear face masks and ensure they have at least three more for the duration of the journey. Land and sea borders remain closed until further notice, except for the transportation of goods.

As of Thursday, September 24, there have been 10,434 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 associated fatalities in Guinea. 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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 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.