Sudan Declares Health Emergency Over COVID-19

Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council has declared a state of health emergency in the country in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. Sudan closed all airports, ports and land crossings.

Sudan reported its first COVID-19 case on 13 March 2020. Faisal Alyas, a 52-year-old man, died in Khartoum on 12 March, after being diagnosed with the virus, following a visit to the UAE in the first week of March.

Only humanitarian, commercial and technical support shipments would be excluded from the restrictions.

بيان من مجلس الوزراء:

ناقش مجلس الوزراء المصغر في اجتماع طارئ اليوم توصيات اللجنة التنسيقية العليا للتصدي لوباء الكورونا، وبناء عليه فقد أصدر القرارات التالية:

— Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) March 14, 2020

Prior to declaring a state of health emergency, the government announced a series of health and safety measures, including stopping public events. In addition, Sudan stopped visa issuance and flight services to eight countries, including Egypt and Italy, over fears of the coronavirus outbreak. Bus trips to Egypt have also been suspended. Sudan also closed kindergartens, religious schools, universities and schools for one month and banned public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. It has also been decided to postpone the basic school certificate examinations in all states.

There are currently no confirmed or reported COVID-19 cases in South Sudan. However, a few countries such as Saudi Arabia have imposed travel restrictions to South Sudan.

WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic with more than 180,000 confirmed cases, leaving more than 7,000 dead.

Countries around the world are taking measures to try to reduce the spread of the virus. Italy, Spain, Malaysia and the Philippines have adopted a lockdown. France closes all restaurants, cafes, cinemas and clubs. Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have adopted similar measures.