Kiir urges citizens to take precautions in bid to combat coronavirus
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit (Photo:Supplied)
March 16th 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has urged all citizens to exercise precautions such as avoiding handshakes and hugging each other as a protective measure against coronavirus.
He encouraged non-physical contact but said that citizens could opt for elbow and foot bumps as greetings if they have to make physical contact.
President Kiir spoke in Juba on Friday at the funeral of the late Dr John Garang De Mabior’s brother.
MEASURES
South Sudan has not reported any coronavirus cases but neighbouring countries Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Sudan have confirmed cases.
A foreign national in Juba who had been isolated after showing signs of coronavirus was discharged on Saturday after he tested negative.
As a precaution, the South Sudanese government announced that it has suspended direct flights to countries affected by the novel coronavirus, effective Friday midnight.
The decision included Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Middle East, US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru, Paraguay, and some countries in Europe.
In Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, Cambodia, India have been listed.
Others are Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives and Bangladesh.
The ministry also added that all travellers arriving in the country are being screened for Covid-19.
SOUTH SUDANESE DOCTORS IN CHINA
Meanwhile, seven South Sudanese doctors undergoing five months clinical training in Hefei City, Anhui Province of China, have confirmed that none of them has been infected with the coronavirus.
Speaking to The East African on the phone from China on Saturday, they assured South Sudanese that they are safe.
“We are safe… [and] the outbreak is in a different city,” Dr Oduma Kenneth said “Our activities have been reduced a little bit but that isn’t an issue.”
Other doctors said the outbreak has affected their training schedules, but they are coping well.
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