C VID-19 MEASURES in MEMBER STATES€¦ · 1 EASES AE MEMBER STATES Burundi Background The first case of COVID-19 was reported on 31 March 2020 BACKGROUND Preventive Measures in Place

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MEASURES IN PLACE IN MEMBER STATES

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

MEASURES inMEMBER STATES

C VID-19

As at 18th September 2020 / 22nd Edition

COVID-19 Response Measures 2

This publication comprises a listing of measures that COMESA Member States have put in place to contain the spread of the Corona virus. They cover trade facilitation and support tobusinesses, protection of the vulnerable from the impact of the spread of the virus and other relevant measures. It also includes the support received from the international community Aid agencies. A trendline on the number of cases reported has also been included as well as the contacts of the focal points in the Ministries that coordinate COMESA activities in Member States.

This document is updated on a regular basis to take into account the new measures that governments are putting in place in response to the changing circumstances.

The data and information are drawn from monitoring press briefings of the national COVID-19 response taskforces and other open sources.

Compiled by:Trade and Customs Division & Governance, Peace and Security Unit

Published byCorporate Communications

COMESA Secretariat

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Burundi

BackgroundThe first case of COVID-19 was reported on 31 March 2020

BACKGROUND

Preventive Measures in Place

• SuspensionofpassengerflightsinandoutofBurundicommenced22ndMarch2020.

• Allborderswereclosedexceptforcargo.TravelersareadvisedthatiftheyplantocrosstheborderfromRwandaintoBurundi,theymaybedeniedentry

• Mandatoryquarantinefor14daysforthoseexposedorsuspectedofhavingthevirus.

• As from7thJuly2020,mass testingcampaignwas launched inBujumbura .Othermeasuresputinplaceinclude:

• reductiononthepriceofsoapandwatertoenhanceandensureaccessibility,• provisionofmaskstothecitizens,• healthpersonnelequippedwithprotectivemasks,• hygienetobemaintainedinpublictransportvehiclesandpassengerstowear

masks.• Limitedaccesstohotelpremises.• Sensitization and awareness campaigns have been created through TV and

Radio.• Installationofhandsanitizersandwaterforhandwashinginpublicplaces.• Theauthoritieshaveaskedhospitalstomakebedsavailableforpotentialcases

(20foreachnationalhospitaland5foreachlocalhospital).

Trade Facilitation / Business Support

• FromthenewCOVID19governmentmeasures,allbordersarenowopenforcargomovement.Cargoflightsarestilloperating.

Coordinating Ministry (National Contact Points)

DirecteurgénéralduCommerce Ministèreducommerce,del’Industrie,etduTourisme B.P.492BUJUMBURA RépubliqueduBurundi Tél:+25779927041,+25722242833 E-mail:[email protected] BurundiEmbassyinLusaka:Email:[email protected] [email protected]



• Asfrom11thAugust2020,thewearingofprotectivefacemasksismandatoryinpublicplaces.Inaddition,allweddingsandpublicgatheringsremainprohibiteduntilfurthernotice.

• From11thAugust2020,thenumberofpassengersinpublictransportremainslimit-edto10peopleinbusesandfourintaxis.

• AdherencetomeasuresasannouncedbythePresidentincludingregularwashingofhands,socialdistancing(1-2meters),etc.

• From20thMarch2020,allschoolsandeducationalinstitutionsofhigherlearningremainclosed.

• Prohibitionsofgatheringsofmorethan20people• BanofcollectiveprayersincludingFridayprayers(blesseddayforMuslims)• FlightsbetweenComorosandtheislandsofMayotteandtheRéunionsuspended• Quarantinemeasuresimplementedfortravelersfrom,orthosewhohavetransited

troughCOVID-19-infectedcountries• Nightcurfewstorestrictmovementsfrom20:00-05:00hours.


• Closing of sea and air borders (except for cargo ships and/or specialevacuations)

• Support for economic operators and households (reduction of customsduties,deferraloftaxobligations,etc.)

• Importtaxesonfood,medicines,anditemsrelatedtohygienereducedby30percent.

• Afundtosupportemployeesassociatedwithairportoperationscreated.• TheCentralBankreducedreserverequirementsto10percent.• Theauthoritiesannouncedarestructuringofcommercialloansandfreezing

ofinterestratesinsomecommercialloans.


Ministresdel’Economie,desInvestissements,chargédel’IntégrationEconomiqueMORONI,UniondesComores

Tél:+2693326669,+2693391015,+2693215858Email:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Comoros

BackgroundFirst case of Corona virus was confirmed on 30 April 2020

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• On15thAugust2020suspensionofInternationalflightsliftedandflightservicestoDRCongoresumed.

• PresidentTshisekediannouncedon23rdJulyanendto theCovid-19Health Emergency Decree enforced since March 2020. He alsoannouncedthereopeningofbusinessactivities,schoolsandborders.i. Primaryschools,secondaryschoolsanduniversities reopened

on10thAugust2020.ii. AsfromWednesday22ndJuly2020,allshops,banks,restaurants,

cafes,andbarsaswellassocialgatheringsandpublictransportresumedoperations

• Places of worship, stadiums, airports and other ports of entry andinternational borders reopened on 15th August 2020. Night clubs,stadiums and entertainment venues also reopened on 15th August2020.

• Mandatorywearingofmasksinpublicplaces.• Thedevelopmentofaresponsenationalplanwithanestimatedbudget

of$135million(0.3percentofGDP)to:i. Strengthen early detection and surveillance and foster

coordinationwithinthegovernment.ii. Improvethequalityofmedicalcaretoinfectedpatients;andiii. Develop preventive communication strategies and enhance

medicallogisticplatforms.• DashboardthatshowscurrentinformationandinformationonCOVID-19putin

placeon:https://www.stopcoronavirusrdc.info/

Democratic Republic of Congo

BackgroundThe first case was reported on 10 March 2020



• ContinuationwithmineralexporttradefromLubumbashi.• ThebordersareopenandCustomsofficersareonduty• Measurestofacilitatethecross-bordermovementofreliefconsignmentsand

essential supplies include: Emergency collection of in-bond pharmaceuticalinputs and products; Limitation of Customs controls to what is strictlynecessary; Authorization to make incomplete and provisional declarations;Exemptionfromdutiesandtaxesonpharmaceuticalsuppliesandequipmentandessentialsupplies,inaccordancewithgovernmentinstructions.

• Measurestosupporttheeconomyandensuresupplychaincontinuityinclude:Accesstogoodsremovalcredit; Adoption ofmeasures allowingpaymentby instalments of Customs duties and taxes and of penalties; Suspensionofchecksatoutposts;Actiontofacilitate compliance with theformalitiesfor Customs clearance of goods; Measures adopted in accordance withgovernment guidelines, in particular as regards exemption from duties andtaxesonpharmaceuticalinputsandmedicalequipmentandthesuspensionofValue-AddedTax(VAT)onimportsofbasicnecessities.

• Promotionofuseofe-paymentstoreducecontaminationrisksinbanknotes.• FasttrackingofASYCUDAWorldImplementationapproved.


MinistredesAffairesEtrangèresetdelaCoopérationInternationale238,AvenuedelaJusticeKINSHASA/GOMBERépubliqueDémocratiqueduCongoTél:+243998126526,+243818118061Courriel:[email protected]@gmail.comDRCEmbassyinLusaka:Tél:+260975852896,Courriel:[email protected]

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PreventiveMeasuresinPlace

• On 28thMarch 2020, the Djibouti Government set up an Inter-MinisterialCommitteechairedby thePrimeMinisterandsubcommittees establishedaswelltoobservetheCOVID-19situationandimpactandconductnecessaryresponses.

• Anation-widelockdownhasbeeninplacesinceMarch23rd2020,exceptforessentialservices.

• Djibouti-AmbouliInternationalAirportopenedforcommercialflightsbeginning17thJuly2020.AllpassengersenteringDjiboutiaretestedforCOVID-19uponarrivalbyMinistryofHealthpersonnel.Seaportsandborderpostsareopento receiveoutsiders.UponarrivalatAmbouli InternationalAirport, travelersidentifiedwiththeviruseithergointoisolationandtreatmentordepartDjiboutionthenextflightwithoutleavingtheairport.

• On16thJuly2020,theMinistryofHealthissuedacircularnoteonthereopeningofborders,specifyingthehealthprotocolsforpassengers.TravelerscomingtoDjibouti by air/sea/landmust be screened for COVID-19 upon arrival atportsofentry.Inaddition,travelerscomingtoDjiboutimustbeequippedwithprotectivemasks at the timeof departure or arrival at the points of entry,respect thephysicaldistanceofonemeter, ifpossible,atallstagesof thejourneyandcarryahydro-alcoholicgelthroughoutthetrip.

• Airlines may require passengers heading to Djibouti to show a negativeCOVID-19testcertificatebeforeallowingthemtoboardtheirflight.

• Gatheringsofmorethantenpeoplenotallowed.• Useoffacialmasksinallpublicorprivatespacesinwhichsocialdistancing

cannotbeobservedismandatory.• Publicandprivateconstructionactivitiesallowedtooperate.• Traffic has been restricted to the minimum and is only allowed with

administrativeauthorization.• Hotelsresumednormaloperationson30thJune2020.• Restaurantsandcafes reopenedon16thJune2020withsocialdistancing

andhygienemeasuresinplace;• Conferencerooms,eventhalls,andcinemasarecloseduntil1stSeptember

2020;• Grocerystoresandretailoutletsreopenedon10thJuly2020.

Djibouti

BackgroundFirst case was reported on 18 March 2020


PreventiveMeasuresinPlace

• Leisureandamusementsitesaswellashotelshavereopened.• Closureofeducationalinstitutions,sportseventsandbars.Schoolstoremain

closeduntil2ndSeptember2020–thestartofthenextschoolyear;• Placesofworship reopenedon10thJuly2020butmust followvery strict

measuresofensuringprotectionincludingwearingoffacialmasksandsocialdistancing.

• Quarantinesitestobeestablishedfor infectedpersonsandcontacttracingproceduresputinplace.

• TheWorldBankprovidedDjiboutiwithUS$5millioncredittowardseffortstoprevent,detect,andrespondtotherapidspreadofCOVID-19.

• TheWorldHealthOrganizationdeliveredprotectiveequipmenttotheMinistryofHealth includinggoggles, surgical gowns, gloves, facemasksandhandsprayers.WHOhasalsoordered500testmachinesand80respirators

forCOVID-19preparednessinthecountry.

TradeFacilitation/BusinessSupport

• Cargomovementofgoodsandservicespermitted.• Only commercial traffic to/fromEthiopia allowed throughGalafi border. At

Galafi,ahealthcheckpointhasbeensetuptoscreenpeopleforCovid-19.• Port communities have raised awareness among Ethiopian drivers on

compliancewithbarriermeasuresandbrochuresinAmhariclanguagewereproducedanddisseminatedtothelatter.

• TheDjiboutiPortandCorridorhascontinuedtostillbeoperational.WithanalertingprotocolbeingimplementedbytheportcommunitiesincaseofanynewCOVID-19casesbeingdetected.

• Slighttruckshortageexperiencedduetospikeindemandanddrivers’fearofCOVID-19.

• DjiboutiPortsandFreeZonesAuthority(DPFZA)introducedonlinepaymentgatewayfacilityfortheportcommunityinordertolimitphysicalvisitstoportsandfree-zonespremisesanddecreaseonlinedocumentationcompletiontime,enablesavingsontransportationwhilerespectinggovernmentmeasurestocontainthespreadofthepandemic

• Djibouti made 82.5% reduction in port tariffs and granted Free TerminalHandlingChargesfor60days,fromThursday,April16th,2020forEthiopia

exportcargototheworldthroughtheDjiboutiPorts.

CoordinatingMinistry(NationalContactPoints)

MinistreDéléguéauprèsduMinistredel’ÉconomieetdesFinances,chargéduCommerce,desPMEdel’Artisanat,duTourismeetdelaFormalisationB.P.24DJIBOUTIRépubliquedeDjiboutiTél:+25321325441+25377851345+25321355177Fax:+25321354909Courriel:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Egypt plans to open institutions of learning from 17th October 2020. The followingmeasurershavebeenrecommendedtoenablesmoothre-openingofschools.

• Schoolpupilswillhavetobringtheirownmealsandbottledwaters.• Temporary isolationroomswillbeestablishedinallschoolforstaffand

pupilssuspectedofthevirus.• Schoolbuseswillbedisinfectedregularly.• Banonsmokingonschoolpremises.• Eachpupilwillseatonaseparatedesk.• Awarenessposterswillbeplacedstrategicallyinallclasses.• Teachersandstaffwillhavetheirtemperaturemeasurebeforeenteringor

leavingtheschool.• Schools to form coordination committees to implement and supervise

protectivemeasuresincludingprovidingdetergentsanddisinfectants.• Officialconferencesandmeetingsallowedfrom27thJuly2020atamaximumof

50participantsprovidedthatthecapacityofthehallinwhichtheconferenceormeetingtakesplaceisnolessthan100people.

• Asfrom1stSeptember2020visitorsintoEgyptarerequiredtopresentPolymeraseChain Reaction test results. The decision excludes Arab and foreign touristsarriving on direct flights to SharmEl-Sheikh,Taba,Hurghada,MarsaAlamandMarsaMatrouhairports,aswellastransitpassengerstothoseairports.

• Fridayprayerstoresumefrom28thAugust2020understrictadherencetohealthandsafetyprotocols.

• MajorexhibitionswillbeallowedstartingOctober2020.• Publicparksandbeachestoremainclosed.• Publictransportresumedandoperatesbetween4a.m.andmidnight.• Restaurantsandcafeshaveresumedoperationswith25percentcapacityandto

closeby10:00p.m.Othershopscloseby9:00p.m.• Restrictionofpublicgatheringsinschools,universities,bars,clubs,malls,public

transport,publicgatheringplacesandtourists’locations.• Theatres,cinemas,andmuseumshavebeenreopenedwithlimitedcapacity.• Hotelsallowedtore-open,providedtheyabidebystricthygienemeasuresstipulated

bythegovernment,at25%occupancyrateinMayand50%occupancyrateinJune.

Egypt

BackgroundThe first case reported on 14 February 2020



Re-openedhotelstomandatoryacquirehygienesafetycertificatefromtheJointInspectionCommissionofboththeMinistriesofTourismandHealth.By18thJuly,31morehotelsfortouristswereopenedraisingthenumberofhotelsreopenednationwideto572.

• Preparation of medical sites nationwide in anticipation of the escalation ofCovid-19cases.

• ThegovernmenthasexpandedthecashtransferprogramsknownasTakafulandKarama(SolidarityandDignity). Inaddition, thegovernmenthas institutednewprograms to provide cash transfers to irregular workers who are substantiallyaffectedbythecrisisanddistributemedicalandsanitationkitstopoorvillages.

• Fiscalpolicy isbeingeased tosupport theeconomyandaddresscrisisneeds,includingincreasesinhealthspending(26percent)andsocialprotection(10

percent).• FromJuly,2020EgyptAirresumedflightsto24destinations.• Flightsandtourismactivitiesresumed in thefollowingthreegovernorates:Red

Sea,MarsaMatrouh,andSouthSinai.• MandatoryquarantineforvisitorswhotestpositiveforCoronavirusinagovernment

isolationhospital.• Adoption of an integrated plan which covers early detection, quarantine and

treatmentmeasures,aswellasraisingpublicawareness.• Universitiesandcollegesandallsportingactivitiesclosedon14thMarch2020.• All services provided by ministries and governorates to citizens, such as civil

registryservices,workpermits,passportsandrenewaloftrafficlicenses,areallsuspended.

• Securingfoodstuffandgoodsinpreparationforthemonthsaheadtocontinueonregularbasis.

• Allocation100billionEgyptianpounds(6.35billionU.S.dollars)tofinancetheanti-COVID-19comprehensiveplananditsprecautionarymeasures.

• Increasednumberofmetrocoachesinoperation• Dailysterilizationoffallterminals,meansoftransportandroads.• Publictransportoperatorsnottocarrymorethan50%ofcapacityofconveyance• Decontaminationof7500buildingsincludinggovernmentadministrativebuilding

andtouristfacilities.• InJuly2020thegovernmentintroducedmeasurestopartiallyoffsettherevenue

shortfallsuchaspromotinggreenrecoverythroughafeeontheconsumptionoffuelproducts.

• ThegovernmenthashastenedstructuralreformsthatbeganundertheExtendedFund Facility. The reforms being undertaken include streamlining the financialoperationsofstate-ownedenterprisesandeconomicauthorities,strengtheningcompetitionby levellingthemarkettoencourageSMEsandamendmentof thecustomslawtoimproveEgypt’sinvestmentclimate.

• Limitingcashwithdrawalsanddepositstoavoidovercrowdingduringpayrollandpensiondisbursement.Adailylimitof10,000Egyptianpounds(around630USD)forindividualsand50,000(around3180USD)forbusinessesisapplied.

• Limitingcashwithdrawalsanddepositstoavoidovercrowdingduringpayrollandpensiondisbursement.Adailylimitof10,000Egyptianpounds(around630USD)forindividualsand50,000(around3180USD)forbusinessesisapplied.

• LaunchedanonlineawarenesscampaignagainstCOVIDusinganimation.Thisisalsoaimedatcurbingmisinformation.

• FromMay 30, people are required to wear face masks in public places, withviolatorsfined4,000pounds($250)bypolice

• Slightliftingofovernightcurfewtostartat9pminsteadof8pm.Shoppingmallsthatwereoriginallyorderedtoclosetoremainopenuntil5pm

• TheinternationalMonetaryFundapprovedanadditionalloanofUSD5.2billionon27thJune2020tohelpEgyptamelioratetheeconomicimpactsofCOVID-19.

• TheCentralBankofEgyptextendedthetenorofallbankloanstobusinessesforsixmonthsandprovidesdebtreliefforindividuals.

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• TheNationalBankofEgyptannouncedaone-yearsavingsdepositprogramwitha15%interestrate.

• TheFinancialRegulatoryAuthorityhasannouncedanextensionto15JuneforEGXlistedcompaniestosubmittheirfinancialstatementsforQ42019(originaldeadline30April).

• TheexemptionfromthetaxationofcapitalgainsonsecuritieslistedontheEgyptianstockexchange(EGX)forEgyptianresidentswillbeextendedto1January2022(originallyduetoexpire17May2020).

• The exemption from the taxation of capital gains on securities listed on theEgyptianstockexchange(EGX)fornon-residentswillbemadepermanent.

• WithholdingtaxondividendspaidbycompanieslistedontheEGXreducedfrom10%to5%.

• From25March2020,theEgyptianMinistryofTradeandIndustry(theForeignTradeSector)putthefollowingmeasuresinplace(i)documents,suchascommercialinvoices, would be accepted without being accredited by the Chambers ofCommerce(thisusuallybeingarequirement)and(ii)certificatesoforiginwouldbeacceptedwithoutauthorizationfromtheEgyptianEmbassyabroad.

• StampdutyontransactionsontheEgyptianstockexchange(EGX)willbereducedfrom0.15%to0.125%fornon-residents.

• Three-monthextensionfor thepaymentofpropertytaxesforcompanies intheindustrialandtourismsector.

• Thegrantofan“immediate”financingfortheimportofkeycommodities.• TradebetweenEgyptandSaudiArabiatobedonethroughtrailersonlywithout

truckerbyusingROROships.• GeneralAuthority for InvestmentandFreeZones(GAFI)currentlypermits local

companiestoholdtheirmeetingsvirtuallyviaconferenceand/orvideocalls.• TheEGXdevelopedelectronictradingsupportsystemsallowingremoteaccess

toseveralplatforms,includingcustomercoding,electronicmembershipsystem,financialsolvency,andOMNIaccounts.

• AllocationofUSD6.35billiontoraisewagesandpension• Provide3-monthtaxreliefforRealEstatetaxesfortourismandindustrialsectors;• AUSD2.7billionloanwasrequestedandgrantedbytheIMF,asanemergency

support;• Write-offEGP17billionfrom226distressedfirms• Starting1stJuly2020scheduledinternationalflightsandforeigntouristsallowed

totraveltoresortsthathavebeenleastaffectedbythecoronavirus


MinistryofTradeandIndustryCAIROArabRepublicofEgyptTel:+20(2)2342190Fax:+20227940554Fax:+20(2)23422197Email:[email protected]; [email protected]:E-mail:[email protected]; [email protected] Tel:+260-211-251151,Fax:+260-211-250284



• Lockdownwasdeclaredon2ndApril2020.• Since26thMarch2020,commercialairlineflights inandoutofEritreawere

suspended.Landborderswerealsoclosed.• NationalTaskForceonCOVID-19wasestablishedathighandlowerlevelsand

hasbeenissuingregulationsandimplementingGuidelines.• AllentryvisastoEritreasuspendedsinceApril2020.• Allcitizens,exceptthoseengagedinindispensabledevelopmentalandsecurity

tasksdirectedtostayathome.• Onlyamaximumoftwomembersofahouseholdareallowedtogooutfromtheir

homestobuyessentialfooditemsduringtheday.Thisconditionalpermissionalsoholdsforemergencymedicaltreatment.

• All tradingactivitiesand transactionsbanned.Similarly,weeklymarkets thatoccurinvariouspartsofthecountryalsoremainclosed.

• All government institutions ceased from performing routine services andfunctions to focus on indispensable developmental and security tasks andmostpublicsectoremployeesstayathome.

• People that have been confined to their homes are not allowed to use theirprivate cars during the period of lockdown, except the citizens employed ininstitutionsthathavebeenallowedtocontinuetheirfunctions.

• Allpublicandprivateeducationinstitutionsthatwillcontinuetheiroperationswillhavetostrictlyobservesocialdistancingandallpersonnelofthepublicandprivatebodiesthatwillcontinuetheiroperationswillbeissuedwithpermitsbytheirrespectiveinstitutions.

• From 17th May 2020 random and extensive COVID-19 testing carried out.ResidentsofAsmara, frontlinehealthworkers,and residentsofborderareasaretargeted.

• Foodproduction,supplyandprocessingenterprisesaswellasgrocerystores,pharmaciesandbankswillcontinuetoprovideservices.Theseinstitutionswillcloseat8:00p.m.everyevening.

Eritrea


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• Major productive and service sectors (manufacturing, food processing,construction,andtransport)allowedtocontinueoperations.

• Citizensintheruralareasengagedinfarmingandanimalhusbandryallowedtocontinuetheiroccupationalactivities.


MinistryofTradeandIndustryP.O.Box1844ASMARAStateofEritreaTel:+2911117103,Fax:+2911120586;+2911124175Email:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

TheEritreanAmbassadortoKenyaandPermanentRepresentativetoCOMESANewWauminiHouse2ndFloorPOBox38651Westlands, NAIROBIKenyaTel:+254-2-443164,Fax:+254-2-443165,E-mail:[email protected]



• The Government established the Cabinet sub-committee, EmergencyTaskForce,RegionalandSectorCommitteesto implementtheCOVID-19EmergencyPlananddeclaredanationalstateofemergency

• Partiallockdowntocontinues.• Operationpermitsfornon-essentialbusinessesrevokedbeginning24April

2020, that include car dealerships, craft vendors, photographic studios,agents and consultants, dry cleaners, driving schools, furniture shops,general dealers not selling food items, car wash business, casinos andgamblingshops,clothingshops(excludingbabyshops)

• Onlyessentialsectorsas identifiedallowedtooperateandtoalsofollowWHOGuidelines;

• Suspensionofprivateandpublicgatheringsof50peopleormore• Closureofschools• Suspensionofnon-essentialtravelforallcitizens• Intensive screening and mandatory self-isolation for residents/citizens

comingfromhighriskcountries,• Enhancedcoordinationandcollaborationamongstakeholdersthroughone

channelofcommunicationandconductingjointinspections,• Collaboration with neighboring countries through sharing of information

onnationaldevelopmentsthatimpactthemovementofgoodsacrosstheborder,

• ProvisionofPPEtostaffandsensitizationonthepandemic,• Restrictedentrytoforeignnationalscomingfromhigh-riskcountries.• The Government issued a supplementary budget for public healthcare

amountingtoE100million(app.US$5.38million)or0.14percentofGDP.• Redirectedlowpriorityrecurrentspendingtothefightagainstthepandemic

andhealthinfrastructure• Banonalcoholproductionanddistributionfortwomonthsstarting1July2020.

Eswatini

BackgroundThe first coronavirus case was reported on 13 March 2020.

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• On20thAugust2020,KingMswatiIIIannouncedtheGovernment’splanstorolloutaUS$1.7billion18-monthpost-coronarecoveryplan.

• The Fiscal Year 2020-21 (FY20/21) supplementary budget reprioritizespublicspending towardshealthcareandsupport tovulnerablegroups tomitigatetheimpactofthecrisisonhouseholdsandbusinesses.

• On25thJuly2020theEswatiniCentralBankcutitsbaserateby25basispointsto3.75%tocounteracoronavirus-linkeddownturn.

• Contact Point for information on measures affecting trade set up andappointedincludingthecontactdetailsprovided.

• ManufacturingandProcessing:• Government recommended the introduction of more shifts to limit the

numberofemployeesinfactoryfloorsandrestrictthenumberofemployeesinanydefinedworkingarea.

• Businesses obliged to ensure compliance with the World HealthOrganization’ssocialdistancingguidelines(1.5-meterdistancebetween2individuals).


• Intermsofhygienethefollowingforbusinessestocomplywith:o Reinforcementofcleaningandsanitizationprotocols,o AtPointofSale (POS), thereshallbeadedicated resourcewhose

sole jobwill be to enforce social distancingmeasures as patronsmakepaymentfortheirshopping.

o Management obliged to ensure that at no point in time does thenumberofpeopleexceed20insideanyestablishment.Forsmallerretail shops, this figure shall even be lower. In any event, socialdistancingof1.5metresapartshallbeobservedwithoutfail.Sanitisecounters,doorsandareassubjecttofrequentcontactbypeople.

o Management obliged to enforce thesemeasures at all times andtheMinistryofCommerce,IndustryandTradewiththehelpofdulyauthorised agencies such as Business Eswatini and FESBC shallensurecompliance.

o Employerstoensurethatpublictransportinwhichtheiremployersaretransportedaresanitizedbothatboardinganddisembarking.

• On7May2020, thegovernmentannounced theeasingof restrictionsasfollows:o Manufacturing and Production companies that have international

orderstofulfil-understrictWHOandMinistryofHealthGuidelines.o AgentsandConsultantstooperatethreetimesaweeko FurnitureShopstoopenthreetimesaweek;Tuesday,Thursdayand

Fridaybetween9amand3pm.o DryCleaners to also operate under similar conditions as furniture

shops.o RetailClothingShops, tailorsanddressmakers (thatproduce face

masksandPPE)tooperatethreetimesaweek–Monday,WednesdayandSaturdaybetween9amand3pm.

o Vehicletestingstationstooperatethreetimesaweek.o DecoShopstooperatethreetimesaweek



• ThroughtheCentralBankofEswatini,areductionofthediscountrateby100basispointsto5.5percent;Reducedthereserverequirementto5percent(from6percent);Reducedtheliquidityrequirementto20percent(from25)forcommercialbanksandto18percent(from22)forthedevelopmentbank

• Encouragementofgreateruseofelectronicpayments;• EncouragementtobanksbytheCentralBanktoconsiderloanrestructuring

andrepaymentholidays.• CrossBorderTradetooperatenormally;• Provisionforlatercompletionofclearanceprocedures• Fast tracking clearance of goods for the fight against COVID-19, i.e.

medicaments.Clearancecanbedoneafter,controlsstillexercised• Enhanced Customs collaboration with other stakeholders i.e. Health

(communicationtoclientsthroughonechannel,jointinspections,etc.)• ProvisionofPPEtotheCustomsstaff,sensitizationonthepandemic.


MinistryofCommerce,IndustryandTradeMBABANEEswatiniTel:(+268)4043201,Fax:(+268)4043055Email:[email protected]; [email protected]

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• OnApril8,thePrimeMinisterdeclaredaStateofEmergencyfor5monthsunderArticle93oftheconstitution,whichallowsittoimposemorestringentmeasures.

• On 2nd August 2020 the Government officially launched a nationwideone-month-longtestingcampaign,whichwilldeterminethenextstepstobeundertakenbytheGovernmentintheNewYearwhichwillstarton11thSeptember2020.

• Closingofallschoolsincludinginstitutionsofhigherlearningandbanningof public gatherings including sporting events was instituted from 16thMarch2020

• Release of over 4,000 prisoners to prevent overcrowding in prisons andcontainthespreadofthecoronavirus

• Postponement of elections from 29th August 2020 to a new date to bedetermined

• The mandatory 14-day quarantine of arrivals from abroad has beenshortenedtoasfewdaysasthree.Inaddition,passengersfromabroadwhoholdCOVID-19negativecertificatesaremandatedtoisolatethemselvesforonlythreedaysaftergivingsamplesandstayfor14daysathomebeforejoiningtheircommunities.

• Closureofall-nightclubsandplacesofentertainmenteffective20thMarchuntilfurthernotice

• Wearingoffacemasksismandatorywhenvisiting‘serviceproviding’placessuchasshopsandeveryonemuststandatleasttwostridesapart

• Governmentemployeesorderedtoworkfromhome• Sportingactivitiesatalllevelsareprohibited• Greetingsbyhandshakearebanned• Asof1stApril,suspensionofmassgatheringsinplacesofworshipincluding

mosquesandchurches• Housetohousescreeninganddiagnostictestingconducted.• COVID-19ResponseFundestablishedforresourcemobilization.Comprises

both private and public institutions. Contributions are both financial andnon-financialandincludebuildings,hotels,vehicles,sanitaryitems,masks,etc.

Ethiopia

BackgroundThe first case was reported on 13 March 2020.



• Extrafundingforhealthcarefacilities• Removal of the restriction on floor price for flower exports that was

previouslysetbytheNationalBankofEthiopia• NationalBankofEthiopiahasavailed15-billion-birr(AboutUSD450million)liquidityforprivatebankstoenablethemtoprovidedebtreliefandadditional

loanstotheircustomers inneedandespeciallythebusinessesadverselyaffectedbyCOVID-19

• Clampingdownpricegougingbyretailerstoprotectlowincomehouseholds• Emergencysupportof$82.8MfromtheWorldBanktomitigatetheeconomic

impactofCOVID-19• Ethiopiahasrelaxedrulesformobilebankingandmoneytransfers,opening

themarkettoall localbusinessestoencouragepeopletogocashlesstocontrolthespreadofcoronavirus

• CommercialbanksorderedtogiveprioritytoimportersthatimportgoodstocombatCOVID-19likeventilators,sanitarygoodsandmedicalequipment,includingtestingkits,whenprovidingforex.

• Ministerial level macro-economicmanagement sub-committee has beensetup

• WaivedalldutiesandtaxesonallmedicalsuppliesandequipmentimportedtofightCOVID-19

• Border closure in effect but no restrictions on cargo movements fromDjibouti to Ethiopia. Custom offices operating on both sides. However,shortageoftruckstoDjiboutiduetospikeindemand

• Customs and Revenue authorities are facilitating continuity of businessby implementing e-documents and e-payments and pre-arrival clearanceproceduresandexemptingsomerequireddocumentssuchascertificateoforigin.


MinistryofTradeandIndustryP.O.Box704ADDISABABA,EthiopiaTel:+251115513990,+251115527676Email:[email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

17



• CoronavirusTaskForceestablishedasanationalemergencyresponse• ReopeningofschoolsanduniversitiesdeferredtoJanuary2021• FromJuly27thJuly2020restaurantstooperatebetween8:00a.m-5.p.mbutnot

tosellalcohol.• AsfromJuly7th,2020placesofworshipopenedwithstrictadherencetohealth

measures.• Finesandjailtimeintroducedforthosefoundinbreachofthevariousmeasuresin

place.• Minimized attendance of social gatherings likeweddings, funerals,malls for a

periodof30days.• Minimized congestion in public transport and limiting visitors to hospitalized

patientsinbothpublicandprivatehospitals.• Publictransportincludingallmatatus,hospitalsandshoppingmallsareencouraged

toprovidesoap,waterandhandsanitizersandensurethatalltheirvehiclesandpremisesareregularlycleanedanddisinfected.

• Governmentregistriesandthecourtsclosedexceptforthehandlingofemergencymatters.

• Governmentoffices,businessesandcompaniesencouragedtoallowemployeestoworkfromhomeexceptforthoseworkingincriticaloressentialservices.

• Asfrom27thJuly2020,nighttimecurfewextendedfor30days.• KenyaMedicalResearchInstitutedevelopsalocaltestingkit• Resumption of domestic air travel from 15th July and international flights to

resumedon1stAugust2020.• MandatoryPCR-Covid-19-Freecertificateforallinternationalarrivalsvalidfor96

hoursprior.• Massproductionofsanitizers,masksandventilatorsbyprivatesectorinKenya.• Temperaturereadingsfortruckcrewstobetakenatentrypointsandatdesignated

weighbridgeswhichare:Namanga;Busia,Gilgil,Mariakani;MalabaandTaveta.• Truck occupants must keep temperature/readings/health forms until they exit

KenyaunlesstheyareKenyanresidents;stringentscreeningofthetrucks;limitednumbersofcrewandpassengers,andanytruckcrewmemberwhoexhibits

symptomsoccupantssubjecttoa14daysquarantine.

Kenya

BackgroundThe first case was reported on 13 March 2020.



• Cashlesstransactionsencouragedandfacilitatedtolimitcontact.• Stringent medical screening at all border points. Only drivers, loader plus the

clearingagentareallowedacrosstheborder.• A100-percenttaxreliefforlow-income-earningpersonsuptoKES24,000• ReducedthetopPay-As-You-Earn(PAYE)ratefrom30percentto25percent.• AppropriationofKES10billionthroughcashtransferstothevulnerablemembers

ofsociety.• Temporarysuspensionof listingwithCreditReferenceBureauforpersonswho

defaultontheirloanobligationswitheffectfrom1April2020.• DisbursementofKES1billionfortherecruitmentofadditionalmedicalpersonnel.• Thegovernmentcommittedtopaythebillsforallthoseinisolationcentresthus

encouragingtesting.


• Cashlesstransactionssuchasmobilemoneyandcreditcardsareencouraged.• ThereductionofthestandardVATratefrom16percentto14percent(effective1

April2020).• Areductionoftheresidentcorporateincometaxfrom30percentto25percent.• 24-hourCallCentreandinformationportalsetupandmannedbyKenyaPrivate

SectorAssociation(KEPSA)• LoweringofCentralBankRate(CBR)to7.2%• LoweringofCashReserveRation(CRR)to4.2%• CentralBankofKenyatoofferflexibilitytobanksonloansthatwereactiveasof

March2020tomaintainliquiditylevels• Assessmentand restructuring loans takenbycorporateborrowers (andSMEs)

basedontheirrespectivecircumstancesarisingfromthepandemic.• Cargomovement allowed to continuehowever spike in transport requirements

hasledtoastrainedsupplyoftrucks.• Mandatoryrequirementforallreturningcargocrewtoself-isolateforaperiodof

14daysstrainingcargooperations.• Officehours forCustomsOfficeschanged to9.00–3.00pmata50% reduced

staffing.ThereisalsoreducedaccesstoCustomsofficersandotherofficials.• KenyaPortsAuthorityhasreducedworkforcetotwoshifts.• KPAenabledonlinedocumentsubmissionsystemstoreducehumancontactat

MombasaPort• Mandatorypre-arrivalreportofships• AllocatedofUSD100Milliontofast-trackpaymentofoutstandingVATrefunds

andotherpendingpayments toSMEs.USD30millionasseedcapital forSMECreditGuaranteeScheme.

• AllocationofUSD20Millionsoftloanstohotelsandrelatedestablishments.• AllocationofUSD15Milliontoassistflowerandhorticulturalproducerstoaccess

internationalmarket.• Enforcementof“BuyKenya,BuildKenya”policy.• AllocatedofUSD6Milliontopurchaselocallymanufacturedvehicles.• Traderelatedessentialservicesproviders,Customs,Immigration,andPortHealth

officials are exempted from the provisions of curfew and required to work 24hours.

19



MinistryofIndustrialization,Trade&EnterpriseDevelopmentP.O.BOX30547-00100KenyattaAvenueNAIROBITel:+254-202731531/2-44,+254-20310983Fax+254203313600E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Website:www.industrialization.go.ke

KenyaMinistryofHealth:Twitter:@MOH_Kenya,Facebook:MinistryofHealthKE,website:http://www.health.go.ke/

KRAContactPoints:· ForDomesticTaxesandallfrequentlyrequestedservices,logonto:https://itax.kra.

go.ke/KRA-Portal/· ForCustomsrelatedtaxes,logontoICMS(IntegratedCustomsManagementSystems)

andtheSimbaSystem· ForSupplyChainManagement(SCM)ore-procure-

ment,logonto:http://www.kra.go.ke/en/tender· Foradditionalsupport,callourContactCentreonTel:0204999999,0711099999or

Email:[email protected]



• FlightsresumedattheMitigaAirport intheLibyancapitalTripolion9thAugust2020.

• By8thAugust2020theEuropeanUnionmobilized€20million(LYD33million)toassistLibyainrespondingtotheCOVID-19pandemic.Thefundswillcontributetoimprovenationaldetectionandsurveillancemechanismsinthefightagainstthespreadofthecoronavirus,boostpreventivemeasuresandsupportLibya’snationalhealthsystem.

• Prayers in mosques have been cancelled, schools and universities have beenclosedfortwoweeksandpublicgatheringslimited.

• Reopeningofrestaurantsandcafésfrom7thJuly2020onunderstrictconditions.• AprimaryhealthcarecentreintheGergareshneighbourhoodofTripoli–serving

a catchment area of at least 30,000 people, including high concentrations ofrefugeesandmigrantsfromsub-SaharanAfrica-hasre-openedasfrom15thJuly2020todealwiththerisingnumbersofCOVID-19cases.

• Largepublicgatheringshavebeenbanned.• Startingon31stJuly2020 theGovernmentofNationalAccordbased inTripoli

toimposesatotallockdowninareasthatitcontrolsforaperiodof5days.Thelockdownwillreplacethepreviouscurfewthathadbeeninplacefrom9pm–6am.IntheEast,inareascontrolledbytheLibyanNationalArmy(LNA),thecurfewremains6p.m.to6a.m.

• A special committee has been formed includingwith theministries of interior,financeandhealth to develop a policy andprocedures for repatriating Libyansfromabroad.

• TheSupremeCommitteeforCombatingCOVID-19closedallvegetableandmeatmarkets,butbakeriesandsomeshopsremainopentomeetpeople’sneeds.

• PointsofEntry(PoEs)toscreentravelersarrivingfromaffectedareashavebeenestablishedatthreeairports(Mitiga,MisrataandBenina),fourseaportsandlandborderentrypointsatRasIjdier,WazenandMsaed.

• TestingisbeingundertakenfortruckdriverswhoaretravellingovertheTunisian/Libyanborderwithdriversrequiredstayfor14daysinZwaraforquarantine.

• Authorities inboth theWestandEasthavestartedto repatriateLibyancitizensstrandedoverseas(thosewishingtoreturnareinEgypt,TunisiaandTurkey).

• Returningcitizensaretestedandallowedtoquarantineathomefor14days.

Libya

BackgroundThe first case was reported on 3rd April 2020

BACKGROUND

21



• Cargotransportationexemptedfromban• Nopenaltieswillapplytothelatefilingofcorporateincometax,personalincome

taxandstampdutyreturns.• Customs and Revenue authorities are facilitating continuity of business by

implementinge-documentsande-paymentsandpre-arrivalclearanceproceduresandexemptingsomerequireddocumentssuchascertificateoforigin.

• JointmechanismonexportofgoodsbetweenLibyaandTunisiathroughtheborderofRasAjbirestablishedon22ndApril2020.


MinistryofEconomyandIndustryP.O.Box4779TRIPO-LI,LIBYACell:+218928344531,Fax:+218214831394,Email:[email protected]

MinistryofForeignAffairs.MinisterPlenipo-tentiaryTRIPOLILibyaCell:+218910123447,Email:[email protected] Em-bassyoftheStateofLibyaPOBox35319LUSAKA,ZambiaTel:+260(211)253055/255388,Fax:+260(211)251239,Mobile:0955208900/0977977605E-mail:[email protected]; [email protected]


Madagascar

BackgroundThe first case reported on 20 March 2020.


• Suspensionofallinternationalflightseffective20thMarch2020.OnlyAirFranceandTurkishAirlinesserveMadagascarviatheirweeklycargoflights.

• Beginning17thSeptember2020curfewhoursinthecapitalAntananarivohavebeenshortenedtostartfrom23:00hrsto04:00hrs.Theearliercurfewputinplacewasfrom22:00hoursto04:00hours.Grocerystorescanoperateaswelluntil18:00hours.

• TheGovernmentofMadagascarwillopentheIslandofNosyBetoInternationaltravelerseffective1stOctober2020.

• Cruiseshipsnotallowedinanyport.• ExtensionoftheStateofHealthEmergencyforanother15additionaldayseffective

25thJuly2020,andmaintainedafullcontainmentonthecapitalAntananarivodeclaredon5thJuly2020,andpartialcontainmentinthedistrictsofMoramanga,FeneriveEst,andToamasinaIandIIfollowingaspikeinthenumberofCOVID-19infectionscountrywide.

• On6thJuly2020theGovernmentlaunchednewdedicatedCOVID-19treatmentcenters amid rising cases of the pandemic. The new centres are in AlarobiaProfessionalTechnicalHighSchoolandtheMahamasinaSportsComplexinthecapitalAntananarivo.

• On 26th July 2020 the Government launched an additional new coronavirustreatment center in the capital Antananarivo that can accommodate 250COVID-19patientswithseveresymptomsamidrisingcasesofCOVID19inthecountry.

• Entry and exit restrictions are heightened in the regions of Analamanga,Atsinanana,HauteMatsiatra,andAlaotraMangoro,whichareCOVID-19clusters.

• Gatheringsofmorethan50peopleprohibited.• Allland,sea,andairbordersremainclosed.Cargoandhumanitarianflightsare

permittedtooperate.• Mandatorywearingoffacemasksinpublic• PublicmarketstoopenforonlythreedaysaweeksubjecttostrictSOPs• 14-dayquarantinemandatoryforindividualswhohavehadpossibleexposureto

COVID-19;travellimitedtoessentialservicesandwork• Allentertainmentvenuesclosed,andallsportingeventssuspended.

23



• Cash-transfersandin-kindnecessitiestothepoorestandthoseunemployed.• Gradual relaxation of lockdown allowingmovement and public transportation

from0600-1300hours• Price controls introduced by Government to regulate the prices of essential

servicesandtopreventbusinessmenfromtakingadvantageofthesituationtohikeprices

• Portsareoperationalwhilerespectinggovernmentalprocedures.• Customs offices Tamatave and Antananarivo will ensure maximum service

withminimumcontact.However,humanitarianaid,pharmaceuticalsandbasicnecessitieswillbegivenpriority.

• Temporarysuspensionofallexportsofdrugsandotherhealthproducts

CoordinatingMinistry(Na-tionalContactPoints)

SecrétairegénéralduMinistèredesAffairesÉtrangères1,rueAndriamifidy,AnosyANTANANARIVO101MadagascarTél:+261344955589/+261346663544Courriel:[email protected]; [email protected];DirectoroftheCOME-SA-TripartiteDepartmentDirectorateofRegionalIntegrationMinistryofForeignAffairsTel.:+261343938895,+261346663586Email:[email protected]; mbola.andriana@gmail.ç[email protected]



Malawi declared a State of National Disaster from 23rd March 2020.• TheMalawiGovernmenthaseffectiveon14thAugusteasedCOVID-19ruleson

publicgatheringsbyallowingupto100peopletogather,unlikeonly10peopleasearlierannouncedon9thAugust2020.

•On7thSeptemberschoolsopenedinMalawibutwithstrictadherencetohealthguidelinesbyboth learnersand teachers.Schoolswereclosedon20thMarch2020.

• Closure of all colleges and universities from 20th March 2020 until furthercommunication.

• Asfrom9thAugust2020mandatorywearingoffacemasksinallpublicspacesdeclaredfailureofwhichcanresultinafineof10,000MalawianKwacha(USD13).

• Asfrom9thAugust2020,publicgatheringsofgreaterthan10peopleareprohibitedwiththeexceptionoffuneralswhichcanhaveupto50peopleinattendance.

• Placesofworship,restaurantsandbarsclosedwithonlytake-awaysalesbeingpermittedfordrinkingestablishmentsbeginning9thAugust2020.

• As from 9th August 2020, entry to Malawi is prohibited except for Malawiannationalsandforeignnationalswithvalidresidencyvisas.Ifeligibletoenterthecountry,passengerswillbetestedforCOVID-19onarrivalandwillhavetoremainattheairportoratestingcenteruntilthetestresultsareknown.

• Beginning9thAugust2020,allmarkets,shopsandbusinessesthatareincloseproximitytohospitalsorderedtoclose.

• Introductionon1stAugust2020oftheZikomoPresidentialAwardasatokenofthankstothemostdedicatedhealthcareworkersinthefightagainstCOVID-19.

• AllflightsintoandoutofMalawisuspendedeffective1April,untilfurthernotice.• Flightscarryingmedicalprofessionals,essentialhealthequipmentandemergency

reliefitemsareexempted.Additionally,authoritieshavesuspendedtheissuanceofvisas.FlightscarryingreturningMalawicitizensandorcargoarehandledonacasebycasebasis.

• Recruitmentof2000healthworkerstosupportthefightagainstCOVID-19• Mandatory14daysquarantineforalltravelersfromCOVID-19affectedcountries• OpeningofinstitutionalisolationandtreatmentcentersinthecitiesofBlantyre,

LilongweandMzuzu

Malawi

BackgroundThe first case reported on 2nd April 2020

25


• Reductionoffuelpricestolowerthetransportcosts• Application of taxwaivers on the importation of essential goods for Corona

Virusmanagement• ReserveBankofMalawitoallowbankstoofferathree-monthmoratoriumon

interestpaymentsonloanstosmall-andmedium-sizedbusinesses• Thecountry’sCompetitionandFair-TradingCommissiontoput inplacestrict

monitoringofpricecontrolsandpunishanyonefoundincreasingprices• Thegovernment to increase loansunder theMalawiEnterpriseDevelopment

Fundthatwillhelpmicro,smallandmediumscalebusinessesthathavebeenseriouslyaffectedbyCOVID-19

• Tobaccomarketstoremainopenandallowedtooperatewithoutdisruptiontoprotectsmallfarmersandbolsterforeigncurrencyreceipts.


MinisterofIndustry,TradeandTourismP.O.Box30366LILONGWE3MalawiTel:+265999969669;+2651770244,+2651780244,780647Fax:+2651770680,+2651780680,782183Email:[email protected]; [email protected],[email protected]



• Closureofbordersandbanningofcommercialflightseffective19thMarch2020.Onlyspeciallyauthorizedflightsallowedtooperate;

• As from 19thMarch, all passengers enteringMauritius are quarantined inhotelsfor14days;

• StrandedMauritiannationalsabroadhavebeenrepatriatedfromSouthAfrica,FranceandIndiabeginning21stApril2020;

• Beginning6thMarch2020theCovid-19HighlevelTaskForce,chairedbytheHon.PrimeMinister,comprisingSeniorMinistersandtheMinisterofHealthtomeetdailytocloselymonitorthesituation;

• TreatmentofCOVID-19patientsinhospitalsandcommunityinfectioncontrolmeasuresunder implementation includingcontact tracing in linewithWHOrecommendations;

• Sensitizationof thepopulationontheprecautionaryandhygienemeasuresincluding, thewearingofmasks,useofhandsanitisers,homeconfinementandsocialdistancingthroughmediacampaignsinappropriatelanguages;

• Shoppingauthorizedinsupermarketsandshopssellingessentialcommoditiesbasedonalphabeticalorderunderstrictconditionssubjecttosanitarycontrol;

• Postponementofcourtcases;• Foodsafetynetsforvulnerablepersonsputinplace

Mauritius

BackgroundThe first case was reported on 18th March 2020

27


Trade Facilitation / Business Support and related measures

• On10thJuly2020theGovernmentextendedtheaccessperiodtoits5billionrupee($130million)specialreliefprogrammeaspartofitsongoingresponsetotheCovid-19pandemic, thiswillbeavailabletobankstoenablethemtocontinuelendingtobusinessesaffectedbyCOVID-19.

• ProvisionofaSpecialReliefFundtoeconomicoperatorstomeetcashflowandworkingcapital;

• SettingupofastandingcommitteetoexplorewaystolimittheimpactoftheCovid-19ontradeandbusinesses.

• Exemptionofmunicipalfeesforsome13,000marketstallholders;• Linesofcreditandsoftloansmadeavailabletosupportvulnerablecompanies/

SMEsfromtheimport-exportsectorandtourismindustry.• FinancialSupport/AssistancetoindividualsbyCommercialBanksandother

financialentities:• CommercialBanksremainedopeninstrategiclocationsduringlockdown;• Introductionofcontactlesstransactionsbysomecommercialbanks;• AloanschemeprovidedtoMauritiansstrandedabroadtocaterfortheirneeds;• COVID-19SupporttoHouseholdsProgrammeintroducedtodeferthecapital

repaymentofhomeloan;

Employment-related measures• Bothpublicandprivatesectoremployeeshavebeenworkingfromhome;• WorkAccessPermits issued to those inneedofaccessing theirplacesof

work;• WageAssistancesubsidyprovidedtocompaniesforpaymentofstaffsalaries;• Financial support provided to workers in the informal sector/ planters/

fishermen;• Hotlineputinplacetofacilitateinter-alia,complaintsandemploymentslaws;

Other measures:• ACOVID-19SolidarityFundcreatedtosupportthepopulation;• CapitalMarketactivityhasbeensuspendeduntilfurthernotice;• TheGovernmenthasappliedforagrantofMUR26bnfromtheWorldBank;• Paymentofvehicleinsuranceandrenewalofroadtaxesdeferredbyamonth;• Electricity consumption rates reduced for low income groups/ small

businesses;• Controlofpricesofseveralbasiccommoditiessuchasrice,cheese,flouretc;


MinisterofForeignAffairs,RegionalIntegrationandInternationalTradePORTLOUISRepublicofMauritiusTel:(230)4052541;(230)4052622Fax:(230)2113148,(230)2137674Email:[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

FocalPoint–MinistryofHealth&WellnessMr.S.Ramasawmy,5thFloor,EmmanuelAnquetilBuilding,Port-Louis,MauritiusTel:2302011892Fax:2302012330Email:[email protected]



• Anation-widelockdownannouncedonMarch21,2020.Gradualliftingoflockdownfrom22ndMarch2020withmovementsinandoutofKigaliCityprohibited.

• Beginning10thSeptember2020,privatetransportbetweenRusiziDistrictandotherdistrictsallowedtoresumeinadherencetoCOVID-19healthguidelines.

• The Kigali City Market re-opened on 3rd September 2020 following a thoroughinspectionbyacoronavirustaskforce.Themarketwasshutdownfortwoweekson17thAugust2020afterrecordingmultiplecasesofCovid-19.However,theNyabugogomarketalsoknownasKwaMutangana,whichwasclosedatthesametimeastheKigaliCityMarket,willremainclosedfollowingthespikeinCovid-19infections.

• PublictransportbetweenKigaliCityandtherestofthecountryisprohibitedasfrom27thAugust2020.Otherprohibitionsare thatprivate transportbetweenKigaliandotherdistricts.

• From1stSeptember2020,allpublichospitalstostartCOVID-19testsinamovetoboostcapacityandwillapplythePolymeraseChainReaction(PCR)technology.

• Curfewreviewedasfrom10thSeptember2020anditwillstartfrom9:00p.m.to5a.m.Theearliercurfewhadbeensetat7:00p.m.to5:00a.m.Movementsarerestrictedwithinthattime.

• Asfrom26thAugust2020,thenumberofpeopleworkinginpublicinstitutionsatanygiventimeshouldbereducedto30%from50%andwillberequiredtoworkinshifts.

• Beginning 26th August 2020 employees working in the private sector includingmarketstocontinueobservingthe50%quotaofemployeesatanygiventime.

• Asfrom14thAugust2020newarrivalstoRwandamustpresentanegativeCOVID-19testscertificatedonewithin5daysofdeparture from theirpointoforigin. Initially,internationaltravelerswererequiredtohavethetestsdonewithin3days(72hours).

• Governmentestablishedanonlineplatformforpeopleinneedofessentialservicesincluding visiting hospitals, attending to emergencies, shopping etc. to apply forclearanceofmovement.

• Mass testingof taximotooperatorscarriedoutbeginning21stJune2020. Itwasalsomademandatory that all taximoto operators remove the helmet screens forpassengers and use a hand sanitizer to clean the helmets. The passengers werefurtherdirectedtowearaclothtocovertheirheadsbeforeusingthehelmet.

• On25thJunesixvillagesofKigaliCityputundera15-daytotalCovid-19lockdowninabidtopreventthespreadofthevirustootherareas.ThesixvillagesareNyarugengeand

KicukirodistrictsandareKamabuye,Zuba,Nyenyeri,Rugano,KadobogoandGisenga

Rwanda


29



• From22ndJuly2020threemorevillagesinKigaliCitywhichareTetero,Indamutsa,andIntigandawhichareallinTeteroSectorputonlockdown.

• Citizens or foreigners returning to the country are subject to a 7 -daymandatoryquarantineatdesignatedlocationsattheirowncost;

• Commercial flights to and from the country were allowed to operate as from 1stAugust2020.Rwandairresumedinternationalflightson1stAugust2020startingwithAfricaroutes.Healthmeasuresput inplacetosafeguardthehealthofpassengers,crew,andairportstaffasprovidedbyMinistryofHealthandICAO.

• Places of worship resumed services from 16th July 2020 with approval by localauthorities.

• From 15th July 2020 six administrative cells in Nyamagabe District (in SouthernProvince)andNyamashekeDistrict(inWesternProvince)placedina15-dayCOVID-19lockdownafter increasescasesbeing recorded.ThecellsarKigemeandRuhunga(NyamagabeDistrict)andMubuga,Gitwa,partofKivu-Butareroad,andJarama

• Beginning1stAugust2020self-checkinkiosks,thermalcameras,screeningrobots,andhandsanitizerdispensershavebeenputinplaceatKigaliInternationalAirportaspartofhealthmeasures.

• All visitors travelling toRwandabycharterflightsmust testnegative forCOVID-19within72hourspriortoarrival;asecondtestwillbetakenpriortovisitinganytouristattraction.

• Domesticandinternationalvisitorstravellingfortourismbycharterflightsallowedinthecountryasfrom17thJune2020.

• Domestic and international tourists tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park,NyungweNationalPark,andotherparksmusttestnegativeforCOVID-19–attheirowncost-within48hourspriortovisitingtheparks.

• All passengers arriving in Rwanda by commercial flights including those in transitrequiredtoshowproofofaCOVID-19PolymeriseChainReaction(PCR)negativetestfromacertifiedlaboratorytakenwithin72hoursofarrivinginRwanda.AsecondPCRtesttobeconducteduponarrival–withresultsdeliveredafter24hours.

• Apart fromthenationalKigaliNationalReferenceLaboratory,othersatellite testinglabssetupinCOVID-19hotspotsareasofthecountrywhichincludethedistrictsofKirehe,Rubavu,Rwamagana,Nyagatare,andRusizi,Thisistohastentheprocessofgeneratingresultsforpatientstoensuretimelyinterventions.

• Hotelstooperateandoffertourismandconferenceservicesbutmustadheretotheprovidedhealthguidelines.

• Religiousweddingceremoniesallowedtotakeplacebutshouldnotexceed30people.• Educationalinstitutions(schoolsandcolleges),andbarsremainclosedsinceMarch

2020.• Restaurantsandcafesallowedtooperateuntil7;00p.m.• Socialdistancingtobeobservedinpublicplaces.• Wearingoffacemasksismandatoryinpublicplacesandmulti-familysettings.• Allbordersclosedexceptforgoodsandcargoservices.• Asfrom22ndJuly2020allstaffofnationalparks,airports,andhotelsneartouristsites

tobetestedeverytwoweeksforCOVID-19asthecountrypreparestostartreceivinginternationalflightsbeginning1stAugust2020.

• Citizensurgedtousemobilemoneyandonlinebankingwheneverpossibletolimitthetransferofpapermoneyandminimizepersontopersoncontacts

• TheWorldBankonApril7th,2020approvedaUSD14.3million(RWF13.65billion)InternationalDevelopmentAssociation(IDA)creditasemergencyresponsetowardseffortstocontainCOVID-19.



• NewGuidelinesfortheMiningsectorissuedon5thJune2020andincluded:miningoperatorsandquarryownerstoproviderelevantpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPEs)toallworkers,andminerstoputinplacecontacttracingprogrammes.

• Beginning1stJulytheMinistryofHealthlaunchedarandomstreettestingsurveyinKigalCitytoassessCOVID-19situation.

TradeFacilitation /BusinessSupport

• Maximumutilizationofnon-intrusivecargoscannersforhomogeneousgoods.• Thewhole clearance process for imports, exports and transit is conducted in the

Rwanda Electronic SingleWindow (RESW)whichminimizes to a great extent anyhumanintervention.

• Authorizedtruckscarrynotmorethantwopeopleincludingthedriver.• AllcargoandconveyorsshallbeoffloadedandtransshippedattheCustomspointof

entry(i.e.RusumoandKagitumbaCustomsBorderPosts).• Warehousingfacilitiesavailableforloading,offloadingandwarehousingofcargoat

theentrypoints;• InlandCargodepotsshallbeavailedforeffectiveloadingandtransshipmentexercises

attheCustomsentrypoint;• Clearingofgoodstobedoneusingthepre-clearancemechanismscurrentlyinplace

i.e.SCTClearanceframeworkandpaymentofdutiesandtaxesbeforethearrivalofthegoodsquickreleaseattheentryborderposts;

• Alldeclarationdocumentsaccompanyingcargomustbesubmittedelectronicallytocustomsadministrationtoavoidpapermanipulation;

• Clearingagentsmustdeclare thefulldetaileddescriptionofgoodstoexpedite theclearanceandreleaseofgoods;

• Clientswith perishable goods and consignments that require specialwarehousingfacilitiessuchaspetroleumproductsshallbeallowedtoproceedtodestinationafterchangeofcrewmembers(truckdrivers)inrespectwiththecurrenthealthguidelinesinplaces;

• Transitcargotobeescorteduponentrytothefinaldestinationandtruckdriverstostoponlyatdesignatedpoints.

• TheCentralBankofRwandaprovidedaRwf50billion($54million)facilityandreducedthereserverequirementratioforcommercialbanksfrom5percentto4percenttosupportthecountry’sbankingsector.

• TheIMFemergencysupportundertheRapidCreditFacilityinMarch2020providedRwanda with a $109.4 million (Rwanda Francs 104 billion) for Covid- 19-relatedpressures on trade, tourism and foreign exchange reserves. The support will alsoprovidemuch-neededresourcesforhealthexpenditureandforhouseholdsandfirmsaffectedbytheCOVID-19crisis.

• From14thApril2020RwandabenefitedfromUSD$11million(RWF10.5billion)debtservicerelieffromtheInternationalMonetaryFundforaninitialperiodof6months.

CoordinatingMinistry(Na-tionalContactPoints)

MinistryofTradeandIndustry B.P.73KIGALIRwanda Tel:+250-784855445,+250788415515 Email:[email protected] [email protected]

31



• BanonallcruiseshipsinPortVictoriauntilendof2021.• On15thSeptember2020,SeychellesadoptedanewtechnologycalledTravizorytechnology

to facilitate the collection and analysis of travellers documentation thatwill ensure re-openingofthebordersinthesafestmanner.Amongotherfeatures,thetechnologyallows:

- Seychelleshealthauthoritiestocollectinadvanceidentityandhealthinformationdirectlyfromthetravellerviatheeasy-to-usewebversionandmobileapps.

- AuthoritiestorunrapidandefficientvettingprocedurestominimizeCOVID-19risksandothersecurityrisks.

- TravellerstoapplyfromtheirmobilephoneviaAndroidoriOSappsoronthewebinaboutfiveminutes.

- Travelers to receiveaclear responseon theireligibility to travel in the formofasecurebarcode,alsoavailableasawalletpass,whichtheycanpresentatcheck-inandboarding.WiththeuseofthetechnologytravelerswillberequiredtopayafeeofUS$50undernormalconditionsorUS$150foremergencyandlatesubmissions.

• On 14th September 2020, Seychelles introduced a new public health order thatmakeswearingamaskmandatoryasfollows:

- when using public transport (which includes buses, ferries, taxis and other means oftransportation)andinplaceswheresufficientdistancingisnotpossible.

- inallindoorplaceswhereaone-metrephysicaldistancingcannotbemaintainedaswellasoutdoorplaceslikesportsvenues,marketsandbusterminals.

- inplacessuchasfinancialinstitutions,customerservicecentres,retailshopsoroutlets,funeralplaces,meetingroomsandcinemas.

• InternationalAirportopenedon1stAugust2020 tocommercial passengerflights fromlowandmediumrisklevelCOVID-19countries.ProcessguidedbythenationalframeworkfortheintegratedmanagementofreopeningofSeychellesborderswhichhasacriteriaforclassifyingcountriesintolow,mediumandhighrisk.

• Application for international flights carrying passengers to be made to Public HealthCommissioner(PHC).

• Astandard form (application forentry intoSeychellesbyairandsea)availableonDoHwebsitetobecompletedandsubmitted.

Seychelles



• ApplicationstobeprocessedonacasebycasebasisasperPublicHealthOrder• Allchild-mindingandday-careservices,allpost-secondaryinstitutionsincludingA-Levels,

GuyMorelInstituteandtheUniversityofSeychellesPrimaryandSecondarySchoolswillreopenreopenedinMay2020.

• Improvement of handling capacity of quarantine and treatment facilities, including thefinalizationofaprogrammetoreceiveadditionalhumanresourcesupportifnecessary.

• Additional$3.6millionprovidedtohealthsectorthroughnationalbudgetamendments.• SeychellessecuredanAfricanDevelopmentBank(AfDB)loanofUS$10milliontosupport

theGovernment’sCOVID-19responseprogramme.• Allrestrictionsonthemovementofpeopleremoved.• Religiousservices,includingfuneralservices,haveresumedfollowingguidancefromthe

DepartmentofHealth.• Allshopsabletostayopenuntil8pmintheevening.• Themajorityofservicesandbusinessesreopened.Constructioncompanieshaveresumed

theirworkasperguidanceissuedbytheDepartmentofHealth• Conductof funeralproceduresat thecemeteryunderstrictguidelinesassetoutby the

DepartmentofHealth.• GovernmentissuednewSeychellesSafetyTravelGuidelines• Gymnasiumsandfitnessfacilitiesopened• Sportingactivitieshaveresumed,followingguidancefromtheDepartmentofHealth.• LeisureboatsandyachtsabletoenterSeychellesterritory,respectinganyguidancefrom

theDepartmentofHealth.


• Indoor seated public shows or gatherings, conferences and meetings held per healthguidelines and sports competitions that will take place without spectators allowed toresume.

• Seychelloiswill beable to travel abroadasperguidanceand regulations issuedby theDepartmentofHealth.

• Threeislandsthat includeCousineIsland,FregateIslandandNorthIslandauthorizedtoresumetouristactivities.

• CriteriaforallowingentryintoSeychellesandmanagementofvisitors• AllpassengersmusthaveproofofanegativeCOVID-19PCRtestthatis48hoursorless

priortoboardingtheflighttoSeychelles.• Aircraft/AirlinearenottoboardanypassengersorcrewwhoaresymptomaticofCOVID-19.• Anypassengerswhoarrives inSeychelleswithout thisproofwillbe turnedbackon the

sameaircraft.• Exitscreeningmusthavebeencompletedbyallincomingpassengersandcrew.• Entryscreeningwillbedoneuponarrivalstartingwithcompletionofthehealthcheckform,

symptomaticcheck,temperaturescanning.Thepassengermayberequiredtoundergoarapidantigentest.

• AllpassengersmustprovideproofofaccommodationinanapprovedestablishmentfortheentireperiodofstayandmustshowbookingvouchersatImmigrationonentry.

• Visitorsnot tochangeaccommodationduring theirstayandmustnot interactwith thecommunityapartfromthoseattheirplaceofresidence.

• InordertominimizeinteractionbetweengroupsofclientsarrivingondifferentdatesclientgroupsshouldbesegregatedwithintheEstablishment.TheEstablishmentswillbevisitedpriortore-openingtoverifythatthiscanbedone.

• For14daysafterarrival theclientwillbemonitoreddailyby thedesignatedHealthandSafetyofficersorfocalperson.

• Allclientstoensurestricthygienemeasuresandphysicaldistancingareenforced.• AllstafftobemonitoreddailybythedesignatedHealthandSafetyOfficerorfocalperson

andrecordkept.• Any illness to be reported immediately to the nearest Health Facility who will provide

appropriateguidance.

33



• Allcostofscreeningandtestwillbebornebythepassenger.• Businesses to prepare their own standards of operation to ensure the guidelines are

implemented.• TourismbusinessestobeissuedwithaSafeTourismCertificatebytheGovernmentbefore

theycanreopen• Thegovernmentannouncedmeasurestosubsidizewagesforcompaniesfacingdistress

causedbyCOVID-19• On20March2020,Governmentannouncedreductionofloanrepaymentsforsixmonths.• TaxpaymentsdueinMarchpostponeduntilSeptember.• TheCentralBankofSeychelles(CBS)reducedthepolicyrateby100bpsto4percenton

March23.• CentralBankprovidedacreditfacilityofapproximatelyUS$36milliontoassistcommercial

bankswithemergencyreliefmeasurestoassistbusinessesandindividualsstrugglingwiththefinancialimpactofthepandemic.

• AlimitedcreditprovidedtogovernmentbytheCentralBankuptoSCR500million(US$30million).Inaddition,creditlinefacilityworthSCR500million($28million)setupforsmallbusinessesandaccessiblethroughcommercialbanksaswellasSeychellesCreditUnionandtheDevelopmentBankofSeychelles(DBS)

• Maturityofcredittocommercialbanksextendedto3years.• MeasuresaimingtoFacilitatetheCross-borderMovementofReliefandEssentialSupplies

include:Fasttrackingtheprocessingandreleaseofurgentmedicalcargoandreliefsuppliesthroughsimplifiedprocedures;AcceptingscannedcopyofpreferentialcertificateoforiginduringtheCOVD19pandemicsubjecttotheoriginalcopybeingsubmittedoncethecrisisisover;Takingdepositforthereleaseofconsignmentbenefittingfrompreferentialtreatmentbutunsupportedbypreferentialcertificateoforiginbecauseoflockdownfromexportingcountries.

• The Port is operational with Customs staff working to ensure that import and exportproceduresarecompletedinatimelymannerwithprioritygiventoconsignmentdirectlyrelatedtotheCOVID19pandemic.

• Encouraging declarant to use pre-payment account and pre-lodgment (pre-arrivaldeclaration)

• PartoftheUS$10millionandUS$15millionloansecuredanAfricanDevelopmentBank(AfDB)andtheWorldBank,respectively,tobeusedformacro-economicstabilization

• CentralBankofSeychellescutMonetaryPolicyRate (MPR) to3% from4% topromoteeconomicstability.

• 37,409privatesectorworkersprovidedwithwagegrantsassupporttoprivatesector.


• MeasuresaimingtoFacilitatetheCross-borderMovementofReliefandEssentialSuppliesinclude:Fasttrackingtheprocessingandreleaseofurgentmedicalcargoandreliefsuppliesthroughsimplifiedprocedures;AcceptingscannedcopyofpreferentialcertificateoforiginduringtheCOVD19pandemicsubjecttotheoriginalcopybeingsubmittedoncethecrisisisover;Takingdepositforthereleaseofconsignmentbenefittingfrompreferentialtreatmentbutunsupportedbypreferentialcertificateoforiginbecauseoflockdownfromexportingcountries.

• The Port is operational with Customs staff working to ensure that import and exportproceduresarecompletedinatimelymannerwithprioritygiventoconsignmentdirectlyrelatedtotheCOVID19pandemic.

• Encouraging declarant to use pre-payment account and pre-lodgment (pre-arrivaldeclaration)

• PartoftheUS$10millionloansecuredanAfricanDevelopmentBank(AfDB)willbeusedformacro-economicstabilization

• 37,409privatesectorworkersprovidedwithwagegrantsassupporttoprivatesector.• CentralBankofSeychellescutMonetaryPolicyRate (MPR) to3% from4% topromote

economicstability.• On25thJune theGovernmentsecuredUS$15million loan fromWorldBank tosupport

macro-economicstability.


MinistryofForeignAffairsStateHousePOBox:55VICTORIA,MAHÉSeychellesTel:[+248]4295656Fax:[+248]4324248FocalPointsMs.AmendaPadayachy.email:[email protected]’Offay.email:[email protected]

35



• All educational institutions both private and public closed and large gatheringsprohibited.However,beginning15thJune, theGalmudugStateMinistryofEducationopenedprimaryschoolsforGrade8studentsandexamsstartedon11thJuly2020.

• Asof15thAugust2020,schoolsanduniversitiesre-openedandweredirectedtoadheretohealthmeasures.

• On1stAugust2020,all immigrationservicesre-startedatallentrypoints.Travelersarriving or departing by international commercial flights required to possess healthcertificatesindicatingthattheyhavetestednegativeinthepast72hours.

• On5thJuly2020mosquesandreligiouscentersresumedtheirservices.• Beginning5thJuly2020,UNICEFandotherpartnersbeganworkingwithgovernmentfor

theprovisionofdistancelearninglessonsthroughtelevision,radio,andonlineplatforms.• Publicmeetingsarebanned.• Anightcurfewdeclaredon15thApril2020forMogadishuandtobeobservedbetween

7:00 and 5:00 a.m. The curfew prohibits opening of business premises and traffic.However,shopssellingdryfoods,hospitals,andpharmaciesareexempted.

• Minibuseswhichusuallycarry15passengersallowedtocarry10passengersinordertoreducecongestioninpublictransportvehicles.

• Domesticflightswhichweresuspended inApril2020 resumedserviceson5thJuly2020butwithadherencetostricthealthguidelines.

• AquarantineunitestablishedatAdenAddeInternationalAirport(AAIA)inMogadishutoisolatepassengerswhodemonstratesymptomsofCoronavirus.

• Cancellationofallflightsexceptmedicalequipmentandfoodstuffflights.• RestrictiononimportedKHATtoSomaliafromourneighbouringcountries(Kenyaand

Ethiopia)asfromMarch2020.• Nationalhealth institutions-assistedbyWHO-toconductcasefindingsandcontact

tracing,testingandtreatment,andquarantineactivities.• Atoll-freenumber449wassetupforthepublictoseekadviceandreportsuspected

casesofCOVID-19acrossthecountry.• Abantore-exportofmedicalequipmentandpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)due

todomesticshortageshasbeenputinplacebytheGovernment.

Somalia



Trade Facilita-tion/ Busi-ness Support

• Exemptionof tariffsonall importedfoodstuffs includingrice,dates,wheatflour,andcookingoilaheadofthemonthofRamadan.

• Seaportsandroadtransportareoperationalbutmedicalscreeningofcrewineffect.• DroppingchargesforcashwithdrawalsfromATMswasput inplaceand Ministerial

levelmacro-economicmanagementsub-committeesetuptosupervisethisdirective.• TheGovernmenthaswaivedalldutiesandtaxesonallmedicalsuppliesandequipment

importedtofightCOVID-19.

Coordinating Ministry (Na-tional ContactPoints)

EmbassyoftheRepublicofSomalia

377AKabulongaRoadBox34051LUSAKAZambiaTel:(+260)211262199Email:[email protected]

37



• On12thApril2020PrimeMinisterissuedEmergencyOrderNo.1of2020whichcriminalizesattacksonhealthpersonnel,smuggling,andillegalhoardingofgoodandmedicines.

• On16thSeptember2020,SudanannouncedtheliftingoftheCOVID-19lockdowninthecountryasfollows:

- Activitiesallowedagaininhalls,publicgardens,exhibitions,andclubs,whilethecurfewinKhartoumStateisreducedto10:00p.m–6a.m.Initiallythecurfewwasfrom6p.mto5a.m

- Sportsmatchescanresumeprovidednospectatorsarepresent.- Theopeningofthenewschoolyearinitiallyscheduledfor27thSeptember2020will

bepostponeduntil22ndNovember2020.- TheStateofHealthEmergencywillbemaintained.• On 16th August 2020 the Government eased coronavirus curfew measures in

NorthernSudanStatewherebymarketsreopenedwitharequirementforpeopletowearfacemasksandfollowhealthemergencymeasures,andvehiclesdisinfected.On10thAugust2020,theGovernmentwiththesupportofitspartnersincreasedintensivecarecapacityfrom16bedsto30bedsattheisolationcentrefortheJabraEmergencyHospitalinsouthernKhartoum.

• EstablishmentofaNationalCovid-19ResponsePlanwithabudgetof$82milliontomanagearrivalsatpointsofentry,isolation,patientcare,infectionpreventionandcontrol,supplies,riskcommunication,surveillanceandcapacitybuilding.

• Dailyreportinghasbeenactivatedat10pointsofentry:Northern,RedSea,Khartoum,Kassala,GedarifandWestDarfurstates;seaports,airportsandgroundcrossings.

• Sudan on 14th July 2020 suspended the special entry arrangement for specialbusiness representatives and foreign diplomats and their families that wasintroducedon1stJuly2020.Thisfollowedacasewherea9-year-olddaughteroftheSudaneseattachéinBangkoktestedpositiveforCOVID-19uponreturn.

• TheQastal-AshkeetlandbordercrossingwithEgyptreopenedon11thJune2020,havingbeenclosedinMarch2020overcoronavirusconcerns.

• SudanJoinedtheUnitedNations’BetterThanCashAlliance-adigitalpaymentsplatformtoDriveFinancialInclusionandTransparency.

Sudan



Trade Facilitation/ Business Support

• NewcoronavirusprotocolforbanksissuedbytheCentralBankofSudantoguidebankingoperationsinhandlingofpapermoneyaswellasbasichygiene.

• Postponementofbasiccertificationexamsinallstatesuntilfurthernotice.• Measures introducedtoshortenthe timeworshipersspent inmosquestoavoid

crowding.• Establishmentofanationalfundtocollectdonationstocombatthepandemic.

Trade Facili-tation/ Busi-ness Sup-port

• Khartoum InternationalAirport (KIA)allowingflights fromEgypt,Turkeyand theUnitedArabEmirates.AllpassengersarrivingatKIAwillbetestedforCOVID-19asofJuly14iftheydonotpossessacertificateforbeingCOVID-19free.

• SudanauthoritieshaveopenedupgoldexporttradetoprivatefirmsincludingthehandlingofallexportsthroughKhartoumInternationalAirport.

• Banonmaizeexportsfrom15March2020untilfurthernotice.• LocaltravelwithinSudanallowedincludingfuelandotheressentialcommodities.• PortSudanoperationalbutCargovesselsmustmeet14daysquarantinefromlast

departure.• Sudan exports on Egyptian trucks are allowed to leave through Ashkit border

crossingasfrom3rdJune2020.• Lockdownmeasuresonshopsandrestaurantsliftedastheyhavebeenallowedto

reopenasfromJuly6th,2020.• Sudanannouncedon22ndJuly2020aboutthelaunchofanonlineprojecttohelp

intestingandcontainingCOVID-19.


MinistryofIndustryandTradeP.O.Box194KHARTOUMSudanTel:+249183772793;Fax:+249183781208E-mail:[email protected] ;Email:[email protected]

39



• Universitiestoreopenbetween1st-28thSeptember2020anddistancelearningtechniqueswillbeusedfor20percentofthecurriculum.Strictmeasuresaretobeadheredto.

• ThecurfewimposedinKefprovincefrom19:00–04:00tocontainthespreadofthevirusthecurfewwillbeinplaceuntilmid-September2020.

• On21stAugust2020TunisianauthoritiesreinstatedacurfewinElHammafrom5p.m.to5a.m.afteraspikeinnovelcoronaviruscasesforaperiodofoneweek.TrainsfromTunistothecityofGabes,whichservicesElHamma,havealsobeencancelled.

• Beginning12thAugust2020wearingofmasksmademandatoryinseveralareassuchasairports,Tunisrailwaystation, theportofLaGoulette,hospitals,privateclinicsandsupermarkets.

• BeginningAugust2020inSilianaRegiontheGovernmentisprovidingunconditionalcashtransferof200TND(aboutUS$70)toaidvulnerablegroupsmeettheirbasicfoodneeds.

• As from 5th August 2020 wearing of face masks made mandatory in public placesnationwide.

• Asfrom27thJuly2020,membersofthesamefamilycomingfromcountriesnotclassifiedon the ‘green’ or ‘orange’ list, including children under 12, to be put undermandatoryisolation.

• GovernmentOffices,factories,shopsbusiness,mosquesandcafestoopen.• From27thJuneborderswereopenedforinternationalflights.• FromJune4,workresumedat100percentcapacityinpublicadministrationsandinthe

othersectorsoftheeconomy.• From27thJune2020sea,land,andairborderswereopenedforforeignersunderstrict

measures.Acolor-codedsystemhasbeenintroducedtoshowwhichcountriesmayenterwithoutrestrictionsandwhichcountriescanenterwithenhancedrestrictions.

• Asof27thJuly2020,passengersarrivingwithouta lab testcertificatewillbeheld inquarantineforatleastthreedaystoallowtheMinistryofHealthtocarryouttests.

• ThroughDecreeNo.2020-208thegovernmentallowedpartialandgradualopeningofthecourts.

Aspartoftheeasingupofmeasuresmosques,allworshipplaces,hotels,partyhallsandrestaurantshavebeenopenedform4thJune2020.

• From8thJune2020,sportingactivitiestoresume..• Supermarketsandretailshopsre-openedaspartofeasinglockdownmeasures.• Asfrom4thJune2020inter-cityandtravelbetweenprovinceshasbeenallowed• Closureofschoolsandothereducationalinstitutionsstillinplace.

Tunisia


BACKGROUND



• Expansionofthebudgetallocationforhealthexpensesaswellasthecreationofa100TNDMillion(app.US$34mill)fundfortheacquisitionofequipmentforpublichospitals.

• Enhanceddigitizationofgovernmentservicestominimizehumancontact.• Robotic technology has been deployed for policing and screening of patients at all

hospitals.• Allocated100MD(approximately$50million)foracquisitionofhospitalandpublichealth

equipment.


• A2.5billionTNDemergencyplan($0.71billionor1.8percentofGDP)wasannouncedonMarch21.

• Creationofinvestmentfundsof600millionTND(app.US$204million).• Establishedastateguaranteefornewcreditsof500millionTND(app.US$170)• The government will delay tax debts, postpone taxes on small- and medium-sized

businesses, delay repayment of low-income employee loans and provide financialassistancetopoorfamilies.

• Provided banks with the necessary liquidity to enable them to continue their normaloperation.

• Carryoverofcredits(principleandinterest)dueduringtheperiodfrom1stMarchuntiltheendofSeptember2020.Thesemeasuresgrantedtocustomersclassified0and1

• Establishmentofafundof2.5billionTunisiandinars($860million)tosupportbusinesses• Loweringoftheinterestrateto6.75%.• Delayingthepaymentofinstalmentsonloansanddroppingchargesforcashwithdrawals

fromATMs.• Bankshaveremovedwithdrawalchargesandofferinge-bankingsubscriptions• Activationofamechanismforthestatetocoverthedifferencebetweenthepolicyrate

andtheeffectiveinterestrateoninvestmentloanswithinacapof3percent.• PostponementofCITreturnfilingdeadline(duebyMarch25)untiltheendofMay2020,

forallcompaniesexceptthosesubjecttoCITattherateof35%;• ExemptionfromVATforsalesofpharmaceuticalsbyretailersandwholesalers;• Allcompaniesareauthorizedtorevaluetheirbuildingsandlandsrecordedintheirbalance

sheetsonthebasisoftheirmarketvalue;thecapitalgainresultingfromthisrevaluationwillbeexemptfromincometaxprovidedthattherevaluedassetsarenotsold;

• Amnesty of customsduties for industrial companies,whichwere subject to customsminutes or judgments before 20March 2020, provided they pay a fineof 10%of theamountofthesaidduties;

• ForcompaniesseverelyimpactedbyCOVID19,certificatesofsuspensionofVATaswellasalltaxcertificates,forpersonswhoarenormallyeligible,willbegrantedimmediatelyonrequestwithoutrequiringthepresentationofthenecessarydocumentsbasedonacommitmenttoprovidetheselater;

• ForcompaniesseverelyimpactedbyCOVID19,theproceduresfortherefundofVATcreditsderivedfromoperationswillbesimplifiedthroughremovingtheconsiderationoftherequirementfor6monthsofconsecutivecredit,andthecreditwillberefundedwithinonemonth;

• JointmechanismonexportofgoodsbetweenTunisiaandLibyathroughtheboarderofRasAjbirestablished.

• On8May2020thegovernmentlaunchedanelectronicplatformtoreceiverequestsfromcompaniesaffectedby thepandemicand thatwish tobenefit from thegovernment’ssupportmeasures.


MinistryofTrade

CNRHediNouiraandGhanaAvenues1002Tunis-TunisiaEmail:[email protected]:[email protected] /[email protected] Tel:+21671354434;Fax:+21671245868

41



• As from 10th August 2020, borders opened for Ugandans stuck in the EastAfricanRegiontogetbacktothecountry.

• Privatecarstocarryamaximumof4passengersincludingthedrivertoensuresocialdistancing

• Publicservicevehiclestocarryhalf theircapacitytoensuresocialdistancingandtoadheretostrictStandardOperatingProcedures(SoPs)

• Asfrom22ndJuly2020,curfewhourshavebeenadjustedtostartfrom2100hrsto0530hrs.Initiallythecurfewwasstartingfrom1900hrsto0600hrs.

• Hairsalonsandshoppingarcadesallowedtoopeneffective22ndJulysubjecttoadherencetostrictoperatingprocedures.

• Commercialmotorbikeslocallyknownas“bodaboda”wereallowedtoresumepassenger services effective 27th July 2020 subject to strict adherence ofStandard Operating procedures including keeping records of all passengerscarried. Since the lockdown started, their operations were restricted totransportationofcargoonly.

• Compulsorywearingoffacemasksinallpublicplaces.• Testingofall truckdriversentering thecountry fromallentrypoints inplace

includingtestingthecrewofcargoplanes.• Closureofallschoolsandeducationalinstitutionsofhigherasfrom20thMarch

2020.• Releaseofover800prisonersinJuly2020tolessencongestionintheprisons

sectorandensuresocialdistancing.• SuspensionofreligiousgatheringsincludingFridayprayersinmosques,Sunday

churchserviceseffective18thMarch2020• Banofallinternationalpassengerflightsandclosureofallborders.• Allincomingtravelersarequarantinedatdesignatedfacilitiesfor14days• Public gatherings limited to amaximum of 7 persons for weddings and 10

persons for funerals

Uganda




• PresidentialDirectivetoallowfreemovementofcargowithinthecountryandacrossbordersissuedon16thApril2020..

• Trucksmaycarryamaximumofthreepersonswithdutiesinconnectionwiththemovementandclearanceofconveyanceandorcargo.

• All drivers onUganda side are to go throughamandatory “blood test” uponarrivalattheborders.

• ShopsandshoppingmallshavebeenallowedtoopenbuttoabidebystrictSoPs• Civilservantstoworkfromhomeasfrom8thApril2020.


1. UseofelectroniccargotrackingtechnologytotrackdriverswhoseresultstestpositiveforCOVID-19.

2. Ensured that operational guidelines issued during the period are relayed toclientsandthepublicthroughallavailablechannelsofcommunicationincludingsocialmedia.

3. Encouragedimportersandmanufacturersencouragedtotakeontaxexemptionsasprovided forunder the lawsandallowedgeneralextensionofpaymentofdutiesuponrequest.

4. UgandaRevenueAuthority(URA)isfacilitatingBondownersandclearingagentstoaccessthebondedwarehouses.

5. Use of Online systems for cargo clearance and to respond to queries andinquiries,e.g.ASYCUDA,Helptooltorespondtoqueries.

6. CategorizationofCustomsofficialsasprovidersofessentialservicesandthusenablingthemtocontinuetoworkduringlockdown

• Restrictionshavebeenliftedandthefollowingallowedtobeoperational:- Wholesaleshops Hardwareshops Garagesforrepairandservicingofautomobiles Metalfabricationandwoodworkshops Insuranceproviderstostartoperations Restaurantsoperatebutonlyontakeawaybasis Warehouses


MinistryofTrade,Industry&Cooperatives P.O.Box7103KAMPALAUganda Tel:+25641230916;Fax:+25641341247;E-mail:[email protected] HighCommissioner&PermanentRepresentativetoCOMESAUganda HighCommission 25MsasaneRoadOysterbay P.O.Box6237DARESSALAAMTanzania

Tel:2556222667200;Email:[email protected] or [email protected]

43



• BeginningSeptember2020,COVID-19testingcentreswillbeestablishedinallthetenprovincesofthecountry.

• Learninginstitutionsincludingschools,colleges,anduniversitiestore-openbetweenSeptember 14th to 28th 2020. However, the learning institutions should followCOVID-19preventionguidelines.

• Beginning11thSeptember2020barsandnightclubstoopenandoperatefrom18:00hoursto23:00hoursfromFridaytoSunday.

• On26thAugust2020theMinistryofTransportandCommunicationsissuedstandardoperating procedures that all public transport operators should complywithwhichinclude: carrying the number of passengers in accordance with the registrationrequirementinordertocurboverloading;mandatorymaskingbydrivers,conductorsand passengers as well as frequent and routine sanitization of public passengervehicles. Other measures include provision of handwashing materials and handsanitizersinpublictransportvehicles,mandatorytemperaturereading,andventilation.Publictransporterswhowillviolatethemeasuresrisktheirlicensesbeingwithdrawn.

• As from mid-August 2020, Zambia to be among other seven African countries(alongsideLiberia,SierraLeone,Zimbabwe,Cameroon,Nigeria,andMorocco)tostartadministeringthecoronavirusantibodytestsaspartofeffortstounderstandtheextentoftheoutbreakonthecontinent.

• Citizenswhohavetestedpositivebutarenotshowinganysymptomsareallowedtogoinself-isolationandstrictlyobservehealthguidelines.Healthofficialsmustconductsurveillanceonsuchpersonstomonitortheirsituation.

• PatientswhohavetestedpositiveandhaveunderlyingillnessessuchastuberculosisandHIV/AIDSplacedunderquarantineingovernmentdesignatedhealthfacilities.

• Travellers arriving inZambia fromany countrywith confirmedCOVID-19 casesarerequiredtoself-quarantineforaminimumof14days,andtoinformZambianheathofficialsiftheydevelopsymptoms.

• All travellers coming into Zambia will be required to provide a negative COVID-19(SARS-CoV-2)PCR test result.The test should have been conducted within theprevious14dayspriorofarrivaltoZambia.TravelerswhodonotmeetthisrequirementwillnotbeallowedintoZambia.

• TheGovernmentofZambiahassuspendedalltouristvisasuntilfurthernotice.

Zambia

BackgroundFirst case reported on 18 March 2020



• Healthscreeningconductedatallentrypoints.• TheKennethKaundaInternationalAirportinLusakaremainsopen.• Conferences,meetingsandworkshopsinvolvinglargegroupsofpeoplebanned;*Butsomeliftingofrestrictionstoholdingchurchservicesandotherpublicgatherings

since 24th April - Lusaka City Council has put in place procedures for obtainingcertification/permitforholdingachurchserviceorpublicgathering.

• Restaurants,cinemas,gymnasiums,andcasinosopenbutmustcontinueadheringtothestipulatedpublichealthguidelines.

• HotelsandlodgesresumednormaloperationsasfromMay2020.• Policerestrictnumbersofpeoplevisitinginmatesandsuspectsinpolicedetention.• Prisonauthoritiestoensuredetentionfacilitiesarenotovercrowded.• Socialdistancingofatleastonetotwometerstobeobservedinpublicplaces.• Socialgatheringsbanned.•

Documents

C VID-19 MEASURES in MEMBER STATES€¦ · 1 EASES AE MEMBER STATES Burundi Background The first case of COVID-19 was reported on 31 March 2020 BACKGROUND Preventive Measures in Place