Coronavirus: curfew and state of health emergency decreed in Togo

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Like many countries, Togo is not immune to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The authorities now count 20 active cases, 17 sick patients and two deaths. To stop the spread of the virus, Faure Gnassingbé, the president, addressed the nation on Wednesday evening and announced several measures.

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With our correspondent in Lomé, Peter Sassou Dogbé

President Faure Gnassingbé has implemented several measures, and in particular as of this Thursday, a curfew is in place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. A special force of 5,000 men is also created to ensure compliance with the decisions taken in the fight against the Covid-19 , while a national solidarity fund of 400 billion CFA francs must be set up to finance socio-economic measures.

As part of the curfew, administrations and services will reorganize working hours. Thus a continuous day is now established from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A few hours after this speech, other social measures were announced. Thus, a remission decree grants the release to 1,048 people detained in several prisons in the country, motorcyclists can no longer take passengers on their vehicles, and public transport is reduced. Finally, to strengthen the work of doctors, 250 respiratory assistance devices are on order. More than half are expected to arrive by the weekend.

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• Togo
• Health and Medicine
• Coronavirus