African Tourism Board Cautions Burundi on COVID-19 Dangers

By Juergen T Steinmetz
Published April 14, 2020

At the time of filing this news item on April 10 only three cases of Coronavirus cases had been reported in Burundi, there was no report of COVID-19 death in this East African Country and the government said 675 people were in quarantine across Burundi. But could this be the calm before a terrible storm?

Africa must learn from Italy, Spain, China or the United States, where it all started with 1 or two cases. The ruling party in Burundi is telling its citizens not to worry about the virus and to go about their normal life.

God Loves Burundi is the message by General Evariste Ndayishimiye, the presidential candidate for the ruling CNDD-FDD party.

While strict lockdowns have brought life to a halt in cities across Africa and the world, restaurants, and bars remain open in Burundi, with authorities ruling out similar curbs on citizens’ freedoms.

Weddings and funerals are proceeding, thousands of faithful are flocking to churches and mosques, and bustling markets remain open and trading in the landlocked country of 11 million.

Political life also charges ahead, with Ndayishimiye and his main rival for the presidency, Agathon Rwasa of the CNL party, on the campaign trail and staging competing for rallies.

Burundi remains one of the few countries on Earth to keep its first and second division football leagues running — just with spectators required to wash their hands and subject to a temperature check.

Not all share the government’s faith and optimism, and some people are afraid.

Some banks are enforcing social distancing measures and hand-washing stations have been introduced at the entrance to many shops and restaurants. The government has also taken some measures, broadcasting public health messages on television and radio, while the international airport in Bujumbura was closed three weeks ago.

Its land borders have been shut to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only its border with Tanzania remains open, an economic lifeline allowing for heavy vehicles and imports to pass.

Diplomats, UN officials and civil society groups have expressed serious concern about Burundi’s capacity to cope with an epidemic.

Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman of the African Tourism Board urges leaders in Burundi: “God wants Burundi to join the rest of Africa, and the rest of the world to take immediate precautions. Burundi must respect the danger this virus presents not only for Burundi, for its neighbours, but for all of Africa. This is a very connected world and this deadly enemy doesn’t respect the borders of Burundi or any country. For the sake of all people in Africa, we urge Burundi to not put us all in great deadly danger. Africa wouldn’t have the recourse to fight such an epidemic once it explodes. This must be avoided by any cost.”

An eTurboNews article