A meeting of the National Security Council (CNS), chaired by Ivorian President Alarcao Ouattara, was held on 14 May to normalize the Greater Abidjan region and gradually relax the restrictions imposed in March as a measure to deal with novel coronavirus infection. In addition to the declaration of emergency throughout the country and the blockade (lock-up) of the Greater Abidjan Circle until 31 May, the land, sea and air border blockade was also temporarily maintained, and the curfew was lifted on the 15th (CNS bulletin on the presidential palace website).
In addition, under strict precautions such as wearing masks, washing hands regularly and ensuring distance between people, the restaurant was lifted from the 15th. In addition, the limit on the number of participants was relaxed from 50 to 200. In combination with these measures, the Government will reinstate all kindergartens, primary, secondary and higher education institutions which have implemented simultaneous class suspension since March 17. Bars, discotheques, cinemas and theatres will remain closed until May 31.
This measure follows the lifting of almost all restrictions throughout the country except the Greater Abidjan region starting on 8 May subject to strict compliance with preventive measures. Since April 21, no infected persons have been confirmed in cities and areas outside the circle.
In addition, with the lifting of the curfew, starting from 18 May, the operational periods of the administrative agencies will be normalized from 07:30 to 00:30 and 01:30 to 04:30.
In his speech to the nation on 7 April on the response to the new coronal infection, President Ouattara announced that the Government had begun to apply the economic, social and humanitarian assistance policy of 1 trillion 700 billion CFA francs (approximately 2.6 billion euros, 1CFA francs = about 0.00153 euros) introduced to mitigate the effects of the infection (see report on 20 April 2020). It is reported that 190 billion CFA francs have been invested in a series of mechanisms so far, including 50 billion CFA francs for the Solidarity Fund, 40 billion CFA francs for the support Fund for small and medium-sized Enterprises, 30 billion CFA francs for the support Fund for large Enterprises, 20 billion CFA francs for the informal sector support Fund, and 50 billion CFA francs for support in the agricultural sector (of which 10 billion CFA francs for grain and agricultural products).
According to local reports, the government gave priority to paying debts to state enterprises to support their cash flow, paying 139 billion CFA francs between April and May 11.
According to the Ministry of Health of C ô te d'Ivoire, as of May 15, the cumulative number of confirmed novel coronavirus infections was 2017, of which 942 recovered and 24 died.
(Kumiko Watanabe)