This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Madagascar's government has taken drastic measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country's capital city, Antananarivo. The city has been placed under a fresh lockdown, effective from Monday, July 6, 2020, until July 20, 2020.
According to a statement released by the presidency, no traffic will be allowed in or out of the region during this period. Only one member of a family will be allowed to go out at specific times, between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm.
President Andry Rajoelina had previously launched a local herbal concoction, COVID-Organics, which he claimed could prevent and cure the novel coronavirus. However, the potential benefits of the tonic have not been validated by any scientific study.
Madagascar had seen an exponential rise in daily COVID-19 cases, with a record 216 cases reported on Saturday, July 4. The country has a cumulative 2,728 cases, including 29 deaths, since the virus was first detected on March 20, 2020.
As part of the measures to contain the spread of the virus, all government meetings will now be held via video conferencing, while court hearings have been suspended.
