Machar, Angelina Teny to resume duties next week – spokesman

June 5, 2020 Breaking News, COVID-19 South Sudan, Health, News, Newsbeat, South Sudan

South Sudan’s First Vice president Dr. Riek Machar Teny (right) and his wife, minister of defense Angelina Teny (left) (Photo credit: Press office of the First vice-president)

June 5, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and the minister of defense, Angelina Teny who is also his wife have recovered from the novel coronavirus, Machar’s office said today.

James Gatdet Dak, the press secretary in the office of the First Vice President said a second COVID-19 test has returned negative for the two senior government officials saying they would resume their duties in less than one week time.

“The second COVID-19 testing has returned NEGATIVE for both the First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, H.E. Madam Angelina Teny,” the statement seen by South Sudan news now.

“This second test was conducted on Monday, 1 June, 2020, and the result came out on Thursday, 4 June, 2020. The two leaders are in good health and ready to resume their public duties,” it added.

The First Vice President was tested positive for coronavirus along with the defense minister in mid may. This come after the entire membership of the former national coronavirus taskforce led then by Machar was tested positive for the virus.

Others publicly known to have caught the virus includes vice presidents James Wani Igga and vice president Hussein Abdelbaggi. Information minister Michael Makuei also tested positive for the virus.

According to the statement, Machar will return to work next week because it is requeired that those who recovers from the virus takes ten more days before coming into contact with others.

“In accordance with the new general criteria from the Ministry of Health, the two officials are required to remain in their residence for 10 more days from 1 June 2020 up to 10 June, 2020,” the statement said.

“They are therefore expected to resume their normal official duties by Thursday, 11 June, 2020,” it added.