Haiti: President Jovenel Moise extends state of emergency until July 20 /update 6

Event

President Jovenel Moise announced that an ongoing state of emergency, initially declared on Thursday, March 19, will be extended until Monday, July 20, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. All schools, places of worship, factories, seaports, and airports remain closed until further notice, though land borders are open for essential cargo exclusively. Commercial flights are also suspended, and a nationwide curfew between 20:00 and 05:00 (local time) remains in effect. All individuals entering the country will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned as a precautionary measure. It is also mandatory to wear a facemask in public.

To-date, authorities have confirmed at least 734 cases of COVID-19, including 25 associated fatalities. The Ouest department, where the capital Port-au-Prince is located, is reportedly the worst affected. Further international spread of the disease 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.

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.