Togo: Authorities extend state of emergency until March 2021 /update 7

Event

Togolese officials have extended the ongoing state of emergency until at least March 2021 due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The extension comes after the end of the prior extension period that expired on Tuesday, September 15.

Togolese authorities imposed a 21:00 to 05:00 (local time) overnight curfew in the prefectures of Tchaoudjo, Tchamba, and Sotouboua on August 25 due to a spike in local COVID-19 cases. 

Some international and domestic flights were allowed to resume on August 1. Arriving passengers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than five days before boarding. Authorities require passengers to take another test on arrival at Lome-Tokoin International Airport (LFW). Travelers are likely to spend 24-48 hours under self-quarantine at a hotel or residence while awaiting test results. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 are required to enter a 14-21 day quarantine at the Eda-Oba Hotel in Lome, at their own expense.

All land borders remain closed, except for humanitarian or cargo transport.

As of Thursday, September 17, there have been 1608 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Togo with 40 associated fatalities. 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 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.