"We Anticipate Severe Hardship," - WHO Warns African States Against Lifting Coronavirus Restrictions

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned African states against lifting coronavirus restrictions saying that this can exacerbate the spread of the virus.

The warning was issued by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus on Friday while speaking at his daily press briefing. He said:

I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions, WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone.

At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence, the way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.

WHO is working with affected countries on strategies for gradually and safely easing restrictions.

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He also said that although the number of coronavirus cases and deaths is still insignificant in comparison to that of other continents, the rate at which the virus is spreading on the continent is alarming particularly taking into consideration that most countries’ health systems are collapsed.

Ghebreyesus also observed that the virus was now spreading to rural areas which is a frightening development since rural areas normally have inadequate resources compared to towns.

Meanwhile, some affected African countries are reportedly mulling easing measures they implemented to stop the spread of coronavirus due to their economic and humanitarian effects on the citizenry.

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