Coronavirus: DR Congo puts capital on lockdown

DR Congo has declared a state of emergency and put its capital city, Kinshasa, on lockdown, as the region struggles with the growing spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The measures were announced by Felix Tshisekedi, the President, during a televised national address, on Tuesday.

In addition to the closure of the country’s borders, the president instigated a ban on domestic travel, including flights, buses and all river transport.

The latest development follows the news last week that saw heavy restrictions placed on the public’s movement.

DR Congo has so far confirmed 45 positive cases of the coronavirus and three deaths.

Following the positive test of two patients in Lubumbashi, the country’s second city was put on lockdown for 48 hours in an effort to contain the spread outside the city limits.

According to Jacques Kyabula, the province’s governor, the pair arrived on a Congo Airways flight from Kinshasa on Sunday afternoon.

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