In addition to the measures adopted on 23 March 2020 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, and as already announced in our previous Flash on this subject matter, considering that more COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Equatorial Guinea, the Prime Minister, after consulting inter alia with the Novel Coronavirus Surveillance Technical Committee, has issued a notice adopting new preventive measures.
These measures – adopted, publicized and enforceable on/since 31 March 2020 and that apply in addition to those adopted on 23 March 2020 – may be summarized as follows:
•As from 3 April 2020 and for a 14-day term, the circulation of vehicles and people between districts in the mainland of Equatorial Guinea is suspended, i.e., all mainland districts are quarantined;
(we note that the notice indicates that this measure will continue in place until 15 April 2020 but that the 14-day term ends on 17 April 2020; our best interpretation is that the measure should be deemed effective until 17 April 2020)
•The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and of the Environment is responsible for organizing, with groups of producers of essential food, the transportation in trucks of said products and of the people selling them, from different places in the mainland inland to stock the markets of the city of Bata (the biggest city in the Country’s mainland region);
•It is restated that:
oall clothing and general supplies’ businesses, supermarkets, shops, pharmacies, hairdressers, electronic materials and other home supplies’ stores must remain open until no later than 8pm; and
oall restaurants and canteens serving prepared food must close by 9pm;
•The Ministry of Health, the Home Ministry, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Works, Real Estate and Housing, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Craftsmanship and the Ministry of Defence may adopt as many measures as are appropriate to ensure the enforcement of these measures; and
•The Novel Coronavirus Surveillance Technical Committee, headed by the Home Minister and in the mainland assisted by the Deputy General Director of Homeland Security, governors and Government delegates, are to ensure full compliance with these measures during the length of the crisis.
We plan to continue issuing updates on the measures put in place in the Country regularly.
