The lifting of the "state of health emergency", announced on Tuesday July 21 by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, represents a huge relief for many Congolese, whose lives have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic .

The measure, which entered into force on Wednesday, allows "the resumption of commercial activities, shops, banks, restaurants, cafes, bars, businesses", as well as "the resumption of gatherings, meetings and celebrations, of public transport".

"The end of the state of emergency does not mean the end of the Covid-19 epidemic in our country", insisted the president, recalling the importance of respecting barrier gestures: compulsory wearing of a mask in public places, washing hands, taking temperature.

Closed for four months, the bars and restaurants hope to attract as many customers as possible to relaunch their activity.

Since March 10, the DRC, a country of some 80 million inhabitants, has recorded 8,534 cases of Covid-19 including 196 deaths and 4,528 healings.

The vast majority of cases - 7,254 - are concentrated in the capital Kinshasa.

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