Covid-19: President declares state of calamity in Mozambique for an indefinite period of time – Watch

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Covid-19: President declares state of calamity in Mozambique for an indefinite period of time – Watch

10:02 CAT | 05 Sep 2020

President, Filipe Nyusi declared yesterday a state of national public calamity to last for an indefinite period of time, maintaining, in general, restrictions, but defining the phased resumption of economic activities in the country.

“The situation of public calamity starts at 00:00 on September 7, for an indefinite duration, as long as there is a risk of the spread of Covid-19”, declared Filipe Nyusi, in a communication to the nation from the presidency of the Republic in Maputo.

The situation of public calamity, which begins after the end of the second state of emergency in the country and was only possible after a revision of the legislation, maintains, in general, the restrictions that the country has adopted in the last five months, with emphasis on the use masking required.

“The mask does not hurt. It may even be annoying, but we are going to get used to it,” said the Mozambican head of state, warning of the increase in cases of negligence regarding this preventive measure.

In addition to the mandatory use of masks, among other restrictions, the situation of public calamity still comprises limitations regarding gatherings and interdiction of events in entertainment spaces, as well as to the validity of the rule that establishes that the operation of markets is allowed between 6 a.m.and 5 p.m..

According to the Mozambican President, the practice of sports with or without spectators will still be prohibited, although it is allowed, from September 15, to resume training for the clubs of the main football championship (Moçambola) and for athletes or teams that have international competitions.

While maintaining restrictions on these aspects, the decision of the Mozambican head of state efines a resumption of the issuance of personal documents, including temporary visas and passports.

“As long as the public calamity situation is in force, the visa suppression agreements between Mozambique and other States are valid, under reciprocity, on a reciprocal basis, and the counting of length of stay in national territory in relation to foreign non-resident technicians who provide services in the structuring projects of the State is suspended,” said Filipe Nyusi.

The President also declared that international flights will be resumed, but on a reciprocal basis.

On the other hand, the beaches will be open from September 15th, but the practice of group sports, musical shows and the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited.

“Here we are going to be uncompromising. We want to gradually return to normal, but we do not want to see people crowded and consuming alcoholic beverages. No. There, the men of law and order will take care,” he said.

The phased resumption of economic activities, divided into three phases, began to be adopted on August 18, with the resumption of classes in higher and technical education, in the academies of the Defense and Security Forces, and in teacher and health personnel training institutions..

Also in the first phase, religious services with a maximum of 50 people were allowed, but now, in the situation of public calamity, religious confessions can now be attended, in a cult, by 50% of the space’s capacity, although with a maximum limit of 150 people. .

The number of participants allowed in funeral ceremonies remains at 50, except in cases where the cause of death is Covid-19, in which case 10 people are allowed to participate.

The second phase of phased resumption of activities began on September 1, with the reopening of cinemas, theatres, casinos, gyms and driving schools, among other activities considered to be of medium risk.

Phase three of the resumption of economic activities, scheduled to start on October 1st, covers the beginning of Grade 12 classes , the last year of secondary education in Mozambique.

Filipe Nyusi stressed that the resumption of classes in other grades is dependent on authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Human Development, taking into consideration the development of the pandemic situation in the country and in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

Since the announcement of the first case on March 22, the country has recorded a total of 4,265 cases, 26 deaths and 2,511 people are reported to have recovered, according to the latest updates [Friday, September 4].

Mozambique has lived with restrictions in the past five months, after a first state of emergency which started on April 1 and has had three extensions.

The Covid-19 pandemic has already claimed at least 869,718 lives and infected more than 26.3 million people in 196 countries and territories, according to a report by the French agency AFP.

Please read below, the main measures announced today, September 4, by the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, with a view to the gradual recovery of the economy, maintaining the Covid-19 preventative measures, as presented by Mozambican Civil Society Organisation Sala da Paz..

Yesterday, President Nyusi announced the end of the State of Emergency and its Replacement by a Public Calamity situation under Red Alert, for an indefinite period of time, starting on September 7 at:

1. All general preventative measures against Covid-19 remain unchanged;

2. The use of mask and visors should be particularly encouraged;

3. Only in cases of physical activity or any proven medical contraindication will the use of masks be exempted ;

4. Quarantine, isolation and internment measures are maintained;

5. The reduction in visits to citizens hospitalised in health units remains at a maximum of two people per day for each patient as is the prohibition of visits to Covid-19 patients;

6. The limitation of disembarkation of ship’s crew persists. They may only disembark to the port area, being forbidden to leave it, except for health reasons;

7. Discotheques and games rooms are closed, with the exception of casinos;

8. Stalls and bars for the sale of alcoholic beverages are closed;

9. Collective sports activities, with or without spectators, will remain prohibited;

10. The period of operation of the markets will remain in effect, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

11. The limitation on the number of passengers in different means of transport remains;

12. In collective passenger transport, in moto-taxi and bicycle-taxi, the use of masks and / or visors for all occupants remains mandatory;

Resumption of activities:

1. Restart of issuance of identification and travel documents;

2. The visa suppression agreements between the Mozambican state and other states in a process of reprocessing will be valid. The counting of length of stay in the national territory is suspended in relation to non-resident foreign technicians who provide services in structuring projects of the State;

3. The Government is going to initiate the electronic registration and the face-to-face biometric proof of life for state officials and civil servants.;

4. Resumption of passenger transport flights to certain countries, on a reciprocal basis;

5. Face-to-face classes for Grade 12 of general education in the National Education System resume from October 1st;

6. Resumption of face-to-face classes in other education systems [other than the Mozambican National Education System] may occur under authorisation by the ministers who oversee the areas of education and pre-school education and is dependent on the country’s epidemiological situation and the recommendations of the sector that oversees the health area;

7. Short-term educational establishments may resume activity subject to authorisation by the Secretary of State in the province and in the City of Maputo, as appropriate, subject to the existence of sectoral contingency plans and to the existence of appropriate conditions , verified by the local health authorities;

8. It is authorised, from the 15th of September, to go to the beaches. However, the ban on the practice of group sports, musical shows, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is maintained;

9. People going to the beach must comply with Covid-19 prevention measures, including physical distance;

10. The resumption of training of the national teams that have international competitions is maintained, observing the preventative measures;

11. It is authorised, as of September 15th, the training of the teams playing in the Moçambola;

12.Restaurants and catering services will operate in strict compliance with the Covid-19 prevention measures;

Public and private institutions are required to take the following measures:

1. Measurement of body temperature before the start of the working day;

2. The disinfection of facilities with the recommended products;

3. The airing [adequate ventilation] of premises;

4. Prevent people from entering the premises in case of fever or flu-like symptoms;

Limitation on the number of participants in events:

1. The limit of 30 participants increases to 40, in private meetings, except in urgent situations of the functioning of the State and others of public interest.

2. In religious services, the number of participants should not exceed 50 percent of the maximum capacity of the place, as long as it does not exceed 150 people;

3. Religious entities may reopen places of worship, observing the preventative measures;

4. The number of participants in funeral ceremonies increases to 50, when the cause of death is not Covid-19. In case the cause of death if coronavirus the funeral may be attended by a a maximum of 10 persons.

(Source: Sala da Paz]

Source: Lusa / Sala da Paz