Togo: Authorities extend state of emergency until September 15 /update 5

Event

Togolese officials have extended the ongoing state of emergency until September 15 due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The resumption of international and domestic commercial flight operations was allowed from August 1. The full resumption of flight operations will be gradual, with limits on the number of flights per day. Additional screening and COVID-19 testing should be anticipated for travelers arriving in and departing the country. Those traveling to Togo will be required to complete an online form prior to departure, and download a tracking application during their stay, although media sources suggest that this app is not yet available. Incoming travelers will also be required to take a PCR test on arrival and self-quarantine until results are sent to them via SMS or email. Those who test positive will be required to stay in quarantine, either self-quarantine or in a government facility, until they provide a negative test result. Departing travelers will be required to take a test 72 hours prior to their departure.

A nationwide curfew introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 was lifted in June. Most businesses, restaurants, and hotels are open, with working hours from 08:00-16:00 (local time), although the use of face masks remains mandatory in public places.

As of Tuesday, August 18, there have been 1173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Togo and 27 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.