Senegal declares state of emergency over coronavirus pandemic

Senegal has declared a state of emergency over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Senegalese President Macky Sall said the state of emergency would start on Tuesday midnight, accompanied by a curfew from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am local time (2000GMT to 0600GMT).

The military and police have been ordered to execute the measures.

The announcement was made in an address to the nation on Tuesday in which Mr Sall acknowledged that the country was struggling to contain the spread of the virus.

“Since the appearance of the first case on 2 March, the government has put in place a plan to stem the progression of the disease. But, obviously, we’re not there yet,” he said.

Senegal has 79 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus, including eight people who have recovered. More than 1,500 people who are suspected to have been in contact with the confirmed cases are being tracked down.

Mr Sall announced a $1.5b solidarity and response fund, while $80m will be devoted to emergency food aid.

“I say this to you with solemnity – the situation is critical. The speed of the progress of the disease requires us to raise the level of the response,” Mr Sall is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.