Mozambique: Authorities to lift foreign travel ban August 21 /update 9

Event

Mozambique's interior ministry announced that the ban on foreign travel put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be lifted as of Friday, August 21. Mozambicans can now leave and enter the country without needing to gain authorization from the interior minister. Foreigners can also leave and enter the country, so long as they have a valid work visa, valid residence permit, visa, or ID. Separately, Mozambique's national airline, Linhas Aereas de Mocambique, announced that it will resume flights to and from the Portuguese capital Lisbon from Tuesday, August 25. 

In a televised address on August 4, President Filipe Nyusi announced a new period of state of emergency would be in place until at least September 6. Nyusi also outlined plans for a phased easing of restrictions. The three-phase plan began on August 18, with activities deemed as low risk resuming. These include the resumption of face-to-face classes in universities, higher education institutions, military academies, teacher training, and at technical, professional, and health institutes. Religious services may also resume, with congregations of no more than 50 people. Up to 50 people will be able to attend funerals, up from the current limit of 20, with exceptions for the funeral of those who have died of COVID-19, where the maximum attendance will remain at ten.

The second phase is scheduled to begin on September 1, and will allow for the resumption of activities deemed medium risk. This includes the reopening of cinemas, casinos, and gyms. The third phase covers activities deemed high risk and is set to begin on October 30. Measures included in this phase include the resumption of face-to-face classes for final year secondary school pupils.

All other current measures remain in place until further notice, including social distancing and the use of face masks in public. Bars remain closed indefinitely.

As of August 21, health authorities have confirmed 3115 cases of COVID-19, with 20 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected over 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.