Maputo — Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday night announced the extension of the state of emergency, decreed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, for a further month.
Addressing the nation, Nyusi recalled that the first case of Covid-19 in Mozambique was diagnosed on 22 March, and when the state of emergency was declared, there were only eight known cases, and no deaths.
Under the renewed state of emergency, he said, it was imperative to obey the rules on social distancing, to wear masks in public places, and to obey 14 day periods of home quarantine, in the case of all people entering Mozambique, and all those who have been in direct contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases.
As for lifting the emergency measures, Nyusi said the Scientific and Technical Commission advising the government will reflect on the best moment to re-open schools, particularly for those grades about to face exams.
More sweeping measures, such as the full reopening of the land, sea and air borders to the transport of people and goods "will be studied depending on the trend of the Covid-19 pandemic in Mozambique", added Nyusi.
