Africans tighten restrictions in bid to curb spread

Even as African countries impose tougher measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the continent is grappling with an increasing number of infections.

Travel bans and school closures are among the responses so far. Yet 1,363 infections have been recorded by the World Health Organization, with 40 deaths.

Countries are stepping up their efforts, including Rwanda, which on Saturday ordered the closure of its borders and a travel ban between its cities. It has reported 17 infections.

In neighboring Kenya, where the health ministry confirmed eight more cases over the weekend for a total of 15, the government has suspended all international flights, except for cargo. The government has also ordered the closure of bars and the suspension of services at places of worship.

In South Africa, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, said 9,315 tests have been carried out with 274 positive cases. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that despite the fear and panic sweeping communities, the nation is standing firm in its unity.

On Sunday, Africa's response to the coronavirus outbreak received a boost with a donation from Jack Ma, a Chinese business leader and philanthropist. A shipment was received by the Ethiopian government and the African Union's Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, or Africa CDC, that included more than 1.5 million test kits and over 100 tons of products for infection prevention and control.

"This is a great honor and initiative and a great sign of the solidarity that the world needs at this critical time. The test kits and other materials will support African countries in their fight against this outbreak," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC, said in receiving the donation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"We are facing a humanitarian situation, an economic situation and a security situation in the continent and the Africa CDC clearly applauds the initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation."

As the virus spreads across the continent, conservationists are warning of the risk it poses to Africa's endangered mountain gorillas. On Mar 18, Congo's Virunga National Park, which is home to about a third of the world's mountain gorillas, said on its website that it is barring visitors until June 1. Advice from scientific experts indicates that primates, including the gorillas, are likely susceptible to complications arising from the coronavirus.

"As a result of the rapidly unfolding situation regarding the global spread of the coronavirus, Virunga National Park has taken the decision to temporarily close mountain gorilla tourism as of March 23. We must remain steadfast in safeguarding our population of this endangered species," the park authorities said on the website.