Kigali - Mauritania, Rwanda, Seychelles, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic confirmed their first coronavirus
cases this weekend, bringing to 26 the number of African
countries that have reported positive tests for the virus.
Moving swiftly to contain its spread, Rwanda, Senegal,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco and Kenya announced tougher
control measures, including bans on public gatherings, halting
flights and closing schools and universities.
Days after the World Health Organization (WHO)
described the outbreak as a pandemic, there is concern among
health specialists about the ability of some African nations to
meet the logistical and financial challenges posed by the
fast-spreading virus.
Borders are porous and many nations have extremely poor
health infrastructure. Some countries, like Somalia, are
fighting insurgencies while others, such as South Sudan, have
high levels of malnutrition.
But governments are implementing preventative steps to try
to keep the virus at bay.
"To prevent the outbreak entering in Madagascar, all flights
connecting Madagascar to Europe are suspended for 30 days,"
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said in a statement.
Madagascar, one of the world's poorest nations where
malnutrition is rife and outbreaks of deadly diseases are
common, will also suspend air links to the nearby islands of La
Reunion and Mayotte, he said.
The East African nation of Rwanda, which registered its
first coronavirus case on Saturday, announced hours later that
schools and universities would be closed for two weeks starting
from Monday.
The Health Ministry also called for all places of worship to
close their doors and for large gatherings such as weddings and
sport events to be postponed.
In West Africa, Senegal announced schools and universities
would stop classes and canceled all religious festivals. So far,
Senegal has reported 21 cases.
The United Nations said that as of Friday, 39 countries had
closed schools worldwide, affecting more than 420 million
children and young people.
Other nations suspended flights.
Authorities in Kenya, which confirmed its first case on
Friday, banned all major public events and said they would
restrict foreign travel. Some private schools said they would
close down starting next week.
Kenya is East Africa's richest economy, the regional
headquarters for many multinationals and a major regional
transit hub.
In North Africa, Morocco suspended flights from 21 countries
on Saturday. So far, Morocco has confirmed 13 cases.
Namibian president Hage Geingob told a press conference on Saturday that the government would implement several measures to try and contain the outbreak, including banning all mass gatherings for 30 days and clamping down on travel to three countries.
"The Namibian government is suspending inbound and outbound travel to and from Qatar, Ethiopia and Germany with immediate effect for a period of 30 days," Geingob said.
A couple from Spain who arrived in the Southern African country on Wednesday both tested positive and have been quarantined.
Most cases reported on the continent so far are foreigners
or locals who travelled abroad. Rapid testing and quarantines
have been put in place to limit transmission.
As of Sunday, cases have been reported in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Seychelles, eSwatini, Namibia, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea.