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Coronavirus: How African countries are lifting lockdowns Coronavirus: Infections rising amid economic downturn in Africa
(2 months later)
Despite the World Health Organization warning Africa still faces a growing threat from the coronavirus pandemic, many countries on the continent have begun easing their lockdown restrictions. Africa is facing rising coronavirus infections and there is growing economic pressure to ease lockdown restrictions.
Here's how different African countries have taken very different approaches to containing the spread of the virus. The pandemic has triggered the continent's first recession in 25 years, according to the World Bank.
South Africa: Tough measures slowly lifted Many countries easing lockdowns
The South African government, which introduced one of the continent's toughest lockdowns, has begun easing restrictions, with President Cyril Ramaphosa citing concerns they have been damaging the economy: On the whole, African countries are continuing to ease lockdown measures, despite increasing levels of infection and a general lack of testing capacity across the region.
However, the overall lockdown remains very much in place: These are some of the current measures across the continent:
And the army has been deployed to enforce these measures. Travel restrictions relaxed
Nigeria: Unlocking big cities There has been a general lifting of international travel restrictions, with governments, especially those with large tourism industries, looking to revive the sector and generate economic growth.
Nigeria, by far Africa's most populous nation, closed its land borders and banned all international flights in late March. Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Egypt, South Sudan, Tunisia and Zambia have resumed international passenger flights.
But like South Africa, it began easing restrictions from the start of May. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has 15 members, is expected to fully open its airspace to passenger travel on 21 July, while Kenya and Rwanda plan to open their airspaces on 1 August.
Shops and markets have been allowed to partially open. The World Health Organization (WHO) says countries should be guided by data and health systems' capacity as they plan to reopen borders.
But schools and places of worship have not. Africa regional director Dr Matshidiso Moeti said: "Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries."
The harshest lockdowns have been in the major cities, such as Lagos and Abuja. "But as we take to the skies again, we cannot let our guard down."
Some of these restrictions have now been lifted, allowing limited commercial activity to resume. The WHO has also urged governments to take effective measures, including entry and exit screenings and the practising of:
But travel between states is banned. Some countries remain cautious
And the government has said people must wear face coverings. Dr Moeti said following the easing of measures, "we are seeing as a result an increase in cases."
Police in Lagos have arrested 1,400 people suspected of not wearing face protection or breaking a night-time curfew. And Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has reversed its decision to reopen large parts of the education sector, including for secondary pupils.
And governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says stricter measures could return if people continue to flout the guidelines. The government said it would reopen schools when it was safe.
Kenya: Restrictions remain Elsewhere, Madagascar has re-imposed a lockdown on its capital, Antananarivo, following a new spike in coronavirus infections, two months after restrictions were eased.
Kenya is maintaining its lockdown, in place since the start of April: No traffic will be allowed in and out of the region where the capital is located.
The only easing has been to allow restaurants to resume operations but only under tight measures, including testing catering staff and implementing social-distancing measures. And only one person per household will be allowed outside during the day.
Kenya has also banned movement in and out of local districts in the capital, Nairobi, and the coastal city of Mombasa, which were reporting a high number of coronavirus cases. The Rwandan capital, Kigali, has also seen the reintroduction of lockdown measures, following local spikes in infections.
Ghana: Concerns over rise in infections There has also been a local outbreak in the Moroccan city of Tangier.
Ghana has not introduced the toughest measures seen elsewhere in the continent. Travel in and out of the city has been prohibited and residents told to stay indoors.
And lockdown restrictions have predominately been in urban centres, which have been the worst hit. Walking a tightrope
Instead, the government's emphasis has been on testing. African governments had some early success in tackling the pandemic and have experience in mitigating viruses, such as Ebola.
But schools remain closed. However, the easing of measures appears to have caused a rise in cases and underfunded healthcare systems may struggle to cope.
And religious activities, conferences and festivals are all prohibited. "No-one doubts that governments should prioritise slowing the spread, as countries' health systems across its regions are far too weak and cannot handle a surge in hospitalisations," John Hopkins University African affairs lecturer Chiedo Nwankwor said.
Some internal flights have resumed. But increases in testing capacity and the tracking and tracing of infected individuals has largely focused on the countries' wealthier urban areas.
But all international border crossings remain closed. "There is a need to increase access to testing, tracing, and isolation not only for cities but also beyond as the infection has pushed further inwards to semi-urban and rural areas in some cases," Mr Nwankwor said.
And following a rise in the number of reported infections, President Nana Akufo-Addo has now extended the ban on public gatherings until the end of May. "Some governments across the continent are already walking the tight rope of trying to save their ailing economies, now further sickened by the pandemic, and saving the lives of their citizens, which resembles somewhat of a catch-22 situation - challenging even for rich and advanced economies."
Elsewhere in Africa
Economic hardship is putting pressure on lockdowns
Many African leaders, while supporting measures to control the virus, have expressed concern about the economic consequences.
Many in the continent live on low incomes and are not financially resilient to such economic shocks.
The World Bank predicts sub-Saharan Africa will experience its first recession in 25 years.
Governments have introduced support packages to help businesses and unemployed people.
And Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called for debt relief to help African countries recover.
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