To break the chain of the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) the authorities in Cote d’Ivoire have banned all entry into Greater Abidjan beginning at midnight on Sunday, literally isolating the economic capital from the rest of the country and the world.
The isolation of Greater Abidjan, which was originally planned for Thursday and then postponed to Sunday, comes one week after the closure of the country’s land, sea and air to all forms of traffic aside from those of goods which will have to be carried out subject to health control.
To supply Greater Abidjan including its main district and its suburbs, the Ivorian government is planning humanitarian and security corridors that will be opened to meet the specific needs of managing the pandemic.
The ban on the movement of people between Greater Abidjan and the interior of the country, however, does not cover movement within Abidjan, its suburbs and the movement of goods within the national territory.
Those wishing to enter Abidjan will have to have exemptions issued by the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection and by the prefectures for the interior of the country, a system designed to filter entry and protect the population.
Last weekend, the Ivorian Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, which has announced 300 new hospital beds to contain Covid-19 when needed, said it had also set up health checkpoints around Greater Abidjan.
A few days ago, the Ivorian head of state declared a curfew in view of the fact that the public has not been respecting sanitary measures concerning Covid-19.
This is to discourage mass gatherings during the night in order to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
The country, which confirmed 25 new cases on March 29, has recorded its first death.
With an estimated 165 cases, four have been declared cured.
The authorities continue to introduce multiple measures to further confine the population.
President Alassane Ouatara has enacted 21 health security measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
When the isolation of Greater Abidjan (including Assinie, Anyama and Dabou) was announced, the population had stormed bus stations.
AP/ls/lb/as/APA