This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
On June 30, 2020, Burundi's newly-elected President Evariste Ndayishimiye made a significant shift in his country's stance on COVID-19, declaring it the nation's biggest enemy.
Just months prior, former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who passed away on June 9, 2020, had downplayed the dangers of the pandemic, claiming that God had spared Burundi from the global disease.
Speaking during the inauguration of his government in parliament, President Ndayishimiye urged citizens to take precautionary measures against COVID-19, citing the virus as their biggest concern.
"I declare the Covid-19 pandemic the biggest enemy of Burundians because it is clear it is becoming their biggest concern. We firmly commit ourselves to fight this virus," said Ndayishimiye.
The president emphasized the importance of testing and isolation, stating that his government would set up more testing and isolation centers across the country to ensure that any suspected case is attended to.
He also warned citizens that the coronavirus is a pandemic that transmits easily and kills if taken lightly, urging everyone to take it seriously.
Burundi's decision to declare COVID-19 its biggest enemy comes after months of ignoring the effects of the virus, despite the World Health Organisation's (WHO) guidelines for dealing with the pandemic.
Under Nkurunziza's government, WHO officials were even evicted for attempting to push for the adoption and implementation of safety measures to curb the spread of the virus.
As of now, Burundi has recorded 176 infections and one death.
