A communiqué signed March 31, 2020 by Okalia Bilai Bernard, Governor of the South West Region says the decision to prohibit drinking in off-licences, snacks, night clubs, palm wine joints, and eating in restaurants is “within the framework of the implementation of the measures prescribed by the government to fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic within the region.”

Hear Okalia: “The Governor of the South West Region wishes to inform the general public of the region, most especially owners of entertainment spots such as bars, restaurants as well as their customers that as from henceforth, drinking in off licences, snacks, night clubs, and eating in restaurants is hereby prohibited throughout the entire region.

“The Governor wishes to remind the public that those who buy drinks from drinking spots and food from restaurants need to carry them home for consumption. These measures equally apply to palm wine sellers. The administrative and municipal authorities as well as forces of law and order shall ensure the strict implementation of the said measures. The Governor counts on the usual collaboration and understanding of the Population.”

Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that Government April 1, 2020 renewed for a period of 15 days 13 measures initially announced on March 17 in a bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic including closing the country’s borders and shutting down schools.

Gatherings of more than 50 persons remain prohibited throughout the national territory and administrative authorities were charged with the supervision of the systematic closure of bars, restaurants and entertainment spots from 6p.m. daily.

But given that restaurants and drinking spots are sometimes crowded, with physical distancing almost impossible, the Governor’s decision seeks to further tighten preventive measures since the region now knows two confirmed case of COVID-19 - one registered in Limbe days back and another who died in Buea.

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.

With confirmed cases in Africa rising at a rate of approximately 26 percent per day, time is of the essence if Africa is to avoid the worst effects of the pandemic. While nearly two-thirds of affected African countries thus far have reported only imported infections, slowing the exponential expansion of the virus will increasingly rely on reducing in-country transmissions, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies says.

As we went to press, Cameroon had confirmed 284 cases of the novel coronavirus, seven deaths and 10 recoveries.