JUBA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Monday announced the suspension of all social gatherings like sporting, religious and socio-cultural activities such as weddings and political events due to the looming threat of COVID-19.
Kiir said although his young country remains virus-free there is a need for the public to put the right preventive precautions to avoid the disease.
He revealed that all international conferences slated to take place in Juba have temporarily been suspended due to the looming threats of the novel COVID-19, adding that more cautions must be exercised at the place of work.
The South Sudan leader said travelers arriving into the young nation from the affected countries and areas with established local transmissions will be self-quarantined for 14 days.
"I have ordered self-quarantine of all senior government officials who have just arrived from countries with established local infection and transmission of COVID-19," said Kiir.
South Sudan said Monday that four of its senior government officials have been quarantined as the country heightens vigilance to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
Makur Matur Kariom, undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, said the confinement of four officials is to help the young nation to take necessary precautions to protect the virus coming to South Sudan.
He said the four officials include South Sudan's ambassador to China, presidential press secretary and newly appointed minister of foreign affairs and a deputy minister who arrived in Juba last weekend from the countries with the established local transmission, adding that the officials will be under a self-quarantined for 14 days.
"The self-quarantined officials will stay in confinement while the officials from the ministry of health will pay regular observation. They will stay in a confined place mostly in their rooms, and they will not interact with the members of the family for 14 days," Kariom told reporters in Juba.
He revealed that the officials will be set free towards the end of the month after having shown no symptoms, adding that in case any of them develops symptoms then they will be moved to a government facility for further isolation where testing treatment will be provided.
Guracha Guyo, emergency coordinator for World Health Organization (WHO) in Juba, said South Sudan continues to be free of the virus on Monday. Enditem
