Mask becomes compulsory in several Central African countries

In several Central African countries, wearing a mask has become compulsory in public spaces in order to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, their governments have announced in recent days. In Gabon, the mask has been mandatory since Wednesday morning, as in Equatorial Guinea, which also asks its citizens to wear gloves when they go out.

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Aware of the difficulty of Gabonese in obtaining medical masks, Libreville recommended its citizens to wear "an alternative mask". Many sewing workshops in Gabon and elsewhere have started to produce fabric masks, which are less effective but which, however, limit the spread of the virus.

Monday, the Chadian government had also decreed the compulsory wearing of the mask on its territory before reversing its decision the next day because of the lack of supply on the market. Cameroon - one of the countries most affected by the virus in Africa with 855 cases officially declared on Wednesday - had already adopted this measure last Thursday.

In these Central African countries, these provisions are in addition to those already taken, such as the establishment of night curfews, the closing of schools, borders and places of worship as well as restrictions on assemblies.