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Following a decision by Félix Tshisekedi, the DRC takes new drastic measures to fight the coronavirus. On Tuesday night, the president decided to decide on a curfew across the entire national territory from this Friday. Now 22 of the country’s 26 provinces are affected and the number of cases is exploding in the capital Kinshasa and in northern Kivu.
as reported from Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
The latest figures worried the head of state and his experts who gathered on Tuesday night at the presidential palace. A record despite the measures already taken: 345 new cases were officially discovered on Monday, including 298 in Kinshasa where, despite the pandemic, traffic in the city remains intense even in the evening.
As a result, the authorities have therefore announced the introduction of a curfew across the country. From 21:00 to 05:00, the traffic will be subject to a special permit from the authorities, with the exception of people in health crises, according to a report by the Congolese Presidency.
Holidays from this Friday
In addition to this announcement, there are measures that particularly affect the education sector. The beginning of the academic year is postponed to a later date. And at the school level, students will benefit from early vacations this Friday.
Large gatherings are forbidden as well as meetings for more than ten people, this is the case for artistic productions, fairs and festive ceremonies. Sports competitions behind closed doors will continue. Measures that will have an economic weight.
If the decision is so sudden, it is because the health authorities are aware that the cases are much more than those that were officially discovered due to insufficient tests. One of the reasons for the resurgence of the pandemic is the relaxation of the population in the application of barrier measures.
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