The Presidency of the Republic at the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Government, has approved this Monday, December 21, decree No. 197/2020 dated December 21, which temporarily restricts the movement of people during the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Day to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Said decree will be in force from December 23, 2020 to January 15, 2021.
Statement of reasons:
The Government has managed to control and contain the evolution of the COVID-19 Pandemic to date. However, the Technical Committee has confirmed the increase in cases of local contagion, which makes it necessary to take provisions for greater control and avoid situations of massive spread.
By virtue, at the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Government and duly approved by the Political Committee.
I expose:
Article 1. is available throughout the country to intensify the measures to restrict the mobility of the population to prevent and avoid the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Article 2.1 -For national air transport, only two weekly flights are authorized by Ceiba and Cronos airlines and for international transport only one weekly flight is authorized by each of the airlines that fly to Equatorial Guinea, all of them during the period established in this Decree and under strict passenger control measures by personnel of the Covid-19 Technical Committee installed at airports.
Article 2.2 -However, both national and international charter flights as well as maritime transport of goods are authorized.
Article 3 – For movements within the country both on the islands and on the continent, the State Security Forces and Corps will require a negative PCR certificate as well as an authorization issued by the Covid-19 Technical Committee
Article 4.1 – All tumultuous crowds for the celebration of the Christmas and New Year festivities are totally prohibited, the dinners held on the occasion will be authorized only those of an exclusively family nature, as well as in general, the closure of the discotheques the celebration of baptisms first communions and weddings.
Article 4.2 -In order to avoid massive contagion in family gatherings in events that may be held during the Christmas and New Year holidays, members of participating families will be required to provide a negative certificate of the covid 19 PCR test.
Article 5 – During the period of validity of this Decree the celebration of acts of worship will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of article 3 Decree number 54/2020 dated August 4, which agrees to enter the second phase of relaxation of the State of Sanitary Alarm.
Article 6 – The use of masks continues and will continue to be compulsory, as well as social distancing measures, disinfection and constant hand washing.
Article 7 – The public is informed that because a new strain of the coronavirus has appeared in England, which is much more contagious, the entry to Equatorial Guinea is prohibited, both commercial and private flights and passengers from said country in order to avoid the introduction to our country of said Covid-19 coronavirus strain.
Additional provisions:
Only,
The sectoral ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Interior and Local Corporations, National Security, National Defense, Worship Justice and Penitentiary Facilities, Civil Aviation, Press and Radio Information, and Transport, Post and Telecommunications, respectively, are empowered to adopt whatever complementary measures are necessary to the strict and better compliance with these intensification measures.
Transitory dispositions:
- The period of validity of this decree will be from December 23, 2020 until January 15, 2021, both inclusive, a period in which its temporary effectiveness and timely effects will be displayed.
Repeal provision:
Any provisions of equal or lower rank opposing this decree are repealed.
Final disposition:
This decree enters into force the same day of its publication in the national news media and without prejudice to its publication in the Official State Gazette.
Signed by the President of the Republic, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
