STATEMENT OF MOTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to add infections and claim human lives around the world. As at January 16, 2022, a global level of more than 323 million positive cases and 5.5 million deaths were registered.
The number of new cases of COVID-19 increased in the second week of January 2022 by 20%, while the number of deaths remained similar to those reported the previous week. However, in the African region the number of new cases has dropped to 27% compared to the previous week.
the second, from March to June 2021; the third, from the second fortnight of August to October 2021; and the fourth wave began the last week of the month of December 2021, showing a high explosiveness of the contagion of the disease in a short period of time, compared to the other three previous waves.
READ MORE: Dreams Talks Meets Dr. George AMEH, WHO Representative to Equatorial Guinea
Taking into account the clinical manifestations of the patients, the affected population groups (unvaccinated, under 18 years of age), which coincide with the same profile observed in the countries that have confirmed the Omicron Variant, it is clinically and epidemiologically confirmed that this fourth wave is due to the presence of the Omicron Variant in the country.
The data showed that this fourth wave of infections in our country is behaving as in the rest of Africa, being very pronounced but brief, since it began its rise in the last week of December 2021 and immediately reached its maximum peak in the week following with a positivity of 31%.
To date, a total of 455,655 doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 have been applied in the country, managing to apply at least one dose to 40% of the population to be vaccinated. However, this vaccination coverage is insufficient if we take into account that 62% of the patients affected in this fourth wave, as well as the cases that have evolved to the severe form of the disease and the deceased, are not vaccinated. Therefore, we can qualify this wave as that of NON-VACCINATED.
READ MORE: Equatorial Guinea: 400M XFA Franc Richer –The Nzalang Nacional Progress AFCON Play Offs
Today more than ever, the discipline of our population, the active participation and contribution of citizens in the adequate fulfillment of the established health prevention measures, continue to be essential, in order to overcome this new outbreak and achieve stability in the new way that living with the COVID-19. Consequently, considering the recommendations of the Technical and Political Surveillance and Response Committees for the containment of the COVID 19 Pandemic in Equatorial Guinea, and at the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Government, Charged with Administrative Coordination, I HAVE:
ARTICLE 1.- The curfew is established throughout the national territory from 00:00 hours to 6am in the morning.
READ MORE: Beijing-Malabo: Chinese FM Wang Yi meets with Equatorial Guinea’s FM
ARTICLE 2.- The international flights of the airlines that operate in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea were renewed with two flights per week per company.
2.1.- The internal views of the airlines Ceiba Intercontinental and Cronos Airlines are authorized to THREE (3) flights per company.
2.2 – It must be taken into account that, for the boarding of passengers in all places, including authorized charter flights of all airlines, the PCR certificate and the vacation pass card will be required at the time of check-in and boarding.
READ MORE: Equatorial Guinea: From the island of Annobon, the Maga brothers arrive with pure talent
ARTICLE 3.- Maritime transport between both regions of the country is maintained at the rate of THREE (3) weekly trips per shipping company and with a maximum capacity of 250 passengers for the Viteoca and San Valentín shipping companies, observing the same requirement of presenting PCR certificates. and the vacation card, at the time of purchasing the ticket, as well as at check-in and boarding.
3.1.-For NavieraElobey to be authorized to transport cargo, merchandise and passengers with a capacity of 50%, if it has been duly authorized by the competent authority, requiring the presentation of a PCR certificate and Vaccination booklet for its crew and passengers, as indicated in the preceding paragraph.
ARTICLE 4.- Reiterating the risk posed by the circulation of the new ÓMICRON variant, the application of hotel quarantine for three (3) days will be extremely mandatoryfor travellers arriving through air, land and sea borders, home quarantine being prohibited, with the exception of the personal diploma and application of the protocol established by the Technical Committee for the final.
READ MORE: Malabo: Consul of Benin Repubic to Equatorial Visits Dreams Hub
ARTICLE 5.- For all processing of files in the Departments of the Public Administration, Autonomous Entities and Public and Private Companies, the presentation of the corresponding vaccination card will be mandatory.
5.1.- Likewise, the presentation of the holiday book will be required to access the -banks, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and other closed establishments.
5.2.- The need for vaccination of all Public Administration officials in their respective Departments and Services is reiterated as mandatory.
5.3.- The vaccination of all national and foreign citizens who are eligible (over 18 years of age) is established as mandatory.
5.4.- In case of non-compliance with the provisions of this article, offenders will be severely sanctioned by the competent sectoral departments. In the case of Public Administration officials, this sanctioning measure will take effect on March 15.
READ MORE: AFCON: Mukansanga Makes History, As First Female To Officiate A Nations Cup Game
ARTICLE 6.- Public and private passenger transport between Districts and Provinces will be authorized with a capacity of 50%, for which only the vaccination card will follow. For travellersbetween the two cities (Malabo and Bata), the vacation card and PCR certificate with a validity of 48 hours will be required.
ARTICLE 7.- The transport of merchandise and goods within the country is authorized in the corresponding vehicles whose drivers must comply. with the provisions of the previous article.
ARTICLE 8.-For the celebration of acts of worship, all religious denominations must strictly follow the measures imposed by the Government, respecting the 50% capacity, washing and disinfection of hands, the correct use of masks and distancing Minimum physical height of 1.5 meters.
READ MORE: Equatorial Guinea: Dreams Hub and Fundacion Ana Costa, Spread Christmas Cheer
ARTICLE 9.- In general, the closure of nightclubs is maintained. Birthday celebrations, marriages, baptisms, deaths and wakes will be held at 50% depending on the available capacity, always complying with the established sanitary measures.
9.1 -Casinos, bars, parks, restaurants, swimming pools and beaches remain open with a capacity of 50% until the established curfew time, always respecting the established sanitary measures and the requirement of the vaccination card.
ARTICLE 10.- The capacity of the taxis remains at three (3) passengers, and the measures for the prevention of COVID-19 must be complied with at all times. For public and private urban transport services, the capacity will be 50% and will be required according to the vacation card for both drivers and passengers.
ARTICLE 11.- The use of masks remains mandatory, as well as social distancing measures, disinfection and constant hand washing.
ARTICLE 12.- In case of non-compliance with the provisions of articles 8, 9, 10 and 11, offenders will be severely sanctioned by the responsible sectoral departments.
ARTICLE 13. – If a large number of infections are detected in a neighbourhood, population or district, the population will be isolated and confined until its total treatment and recovery.
ARTICLE 14.- This decree is valid from January 2, as long as the stability of the cases of COVID-19 and no new alarming outbreaks that massively affect the population arise.
READ MORE: Equatorial Guinea: Dreams Hub Partners TotalEnergies For Third Startupper Challenge
ADDITIONAL PROVISION: The Sectorial Ministries of Health and Social Welfare are empowered: Interior and Local Corporations: National Security: National Defense; Justice, and Penitentiary Institutions; Civil Aviation; Information, Presentation and Radio; Transport, Post Office and Telecommunications: Culture, Tourism and Craft Promotion and: Agriculture, Livestock, Forests and the Environment will adopt whatever complementary means are necessary for the restriction and better compliance with this Decree.
REPEALING PROVISION: Any provision of equal or lower rank that opposes the provisions of this Decree is hereby repealed.
FINAL PROVISION: This Decree entered into force on the same day of its publication in the Official State Gazette and in the other National News Media.
I thus order it through this Decree, issued in Malabo, on the 2nd day of the month of January, 2022.
FOR A BETTER GUINEA,
-OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO-
REPUBLIC PRESIDENT.
