Covid-19: Togo declares 3 months state of emergency

Togo President Faure Gnassingbé has declared a 3-month state of emergency to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President said the seriousness of the situation warrants a quick response, which includes the immediate start of a curfew from 7pm to 6am local time.

President Gnassingbe announced that an alleviation package of nearly 400 billion CFA francs (about $650 million) will be made available to cushion citizens from the harsh impact of COVID-19. The amount forms part of an announced National Solidarity and Economic Recovery Fund which will be fed by contributions from the government, international partners, the national and international private sector and donors.

Reports also say water and electricity supply during the state of emergency would be free of charge.

Togo has since recorded 36 confirmed cases of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and two fatalities.