South Sudan: Domestic flights suspended for 14 days from April 15 /update 1

Event

South Sudan suspended all domestic flights for 14 days from Wednesday, April 15, to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. In addition, both public and private transport to and from Juba, and between states, have been prohibited. Meanwhile, all international flights remain suspended and Juba International Airport (JUB) is closed for 30 days from Tuesday, March 24. All land borders also remain closed.

A daily curfew remains in place from 20:00 to 06:00 (local time). As a precautionary measure, schools and universities have been suspended until Sunday, April 19, while large public gatherings have been banned until Friday, May 1. On Friday, March 27, approximately 500 individuals escaped from quarantine in Renk, prompting authorities to lock down the Northern Upper Nile areas, including Maban, Renk, and Melut counties, for 14 days.

To-date, South Sudan has confirmed at least four cases of COVID-19 nationwide.Further international spread of COVID-19 is expected over the coming days and weeks. 

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 labored 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 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.