The closing of the country’s borders and the shutting down of schools are among 13 measures taken at the end of a crisis meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Below is the statement of the Prime Minister transcribed and brought to you by Cameroon-Info.Net

“On the instructions of the Head of State His Excellency President Paul Biya, an inter-ministerial consultation was held this Tuesday March 17 to assess the situation and identify appropriate actions to be implemented. At the end of this meeting, the President of the Republic instructed the following measures:

As from Wednesday, 18^th March 2020 till further notice:

1. Cameroon’s land, air and sea borders will be closed. Consequently, all passenger flights from abroad will be suspended with the exception of cargo flights and vessels transporting consumer products and essential goods and materials whose stopover time will be limited and supervised.
2. The issuance of entry visas to Cameroon at the various airports shall be suspended.
3. All public and private training and education establishments of various levels of education from nursery school to higher education including vocational training centres and professional schools will be closed.
4. Gatherings of more than 50 persons are prohibited throughout the national territory.
5. School and university competitions like the FENASCO games which are supposed to be held in the days ahead are postponed.
6. Under the supervision of administrative authorities, bars, restaurants and entertainment spots will be systematically closed from 6p.m.
7. A system for regulating consumer flows will be set up in markets and shopping centres
8. Urban and inter-urban travel should only be undertaken in cases of extreme necessity
9. Drivers of buses, taxis, motorbikes are urged to avoid overloading. Law enforcement officers will ensure that they comply.
10. Private health facilities, hotels and other lodging facilities, vehicles and specific equipment necessary for the implementation of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan in Cameroon may be requisitioned as required by competent authorities.
11. Public administration shall give preference to electronic communications and digital tools for meetings likely to bring together more than 10 people.
12. Missions abroad of members of government of public and para-public sector employees are hereby suspended.
13. The public is urged to respect and observe the hygiene measures recommended by the World Health Organisation including regular hand washing with soap, avoiding close contact such as shaking or hugging and covering the mouth when sneezing.

These are difficult but necessary measures to ensure the protection of each and every one and to limit the spread of this pandemic. In case of need, the public is invited t call the toll free number 1510 set up for the mobilisation of rescue teams. The government calls on the public not to panic but to show discipline, solidarity and sense of responsibility at a time when the whole world is going through difficult times."