DRC: Authorities lift COVID-19 state of emergency July 22 /update 19

Event

Authorities have announced that the state of emergency that had been in effect since March 24 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will end on Wednesday, July 22. President Félix Tshisekedi also stated that shops, pubs, restaurants, and banks can reopen from July 22, as economic activities in the country will gradually resume. The restrictions imposed on social gatherings, public transport, events, and meetings have also been lifted. Tshisekedi also announced that educational institutions and universities will be allowed to reopen from August 3, while airports, stadiums, places of worship, and the country's international borders will reopen from August 15.

Despite the end of the state of emergency and the gradual economic resumption, the wearing of face masks in public spaces and social distancing requirements will remain in place until further notice.

As of July 22, there have been 8626 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, and 197 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus 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). 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 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.