Equatorial Guinea: Authorities ease some COVID-19 restrictions November 27 /update 3

Event

Authorities have eased some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures across the country as of Friday, November 27. Public parks, bars, and casinos have reopened, and religious ceremonies, sport, and cultural events have resumed, all limited to 50 percent attendance. The hotel industry is operating, street markets have reopened, and schools are operating at 50 percent capacity. Face masks are required in all public spaces, buildings, and public transport. Additional screening and temperature checks should be expected, and hygiene measures and social distancing must continue to be observed. Those not complying with these measures will be liable to sanctions by authorities. Other mass gatherings remain prohibited. 

International travel has resumed though remains limited and restricted. Nationals, residents, diplomats, and visa holders traveling for business or with government approval are permitted to travel. All arriving passengers must provide a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours before arrival. Those who cannot provide proof will be tested on arrival and quarantined for three to five days in a government-approved location. If the results are positive, travelers will need to quarantine for 14 days at the traveler's own expense. Domestic flights have also resumed with some limitations; flights between Malabo and the mainland are limited to one per day. Land borders remain closed until further notice, except for government and diplomatic vehicles; however, sea borders are open.

As of November 27, there are been 5164 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 85 associated fatalities in Equatorial Guinea. 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). 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 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.