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Tuesday 17 March 2020

Swaziland King declares state of emergency over coronavirus. Schools closed, foreign travel suspended

King Mswati III the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini) has declared a national emergency in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Schools, colleges and universities will close immediately and indefinitely. All public and private gatherings of 50 or more people including conferences, funerals, weddings, entertainment and sporting activities are suspended until further notice.

Foreign nationals from high-risk coronavirus countries will be restricted from entering the kingdom.  Swazi residents returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to screening and are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Non-essential travel to all other countries is suspended for all Swaziland subjects.

The measures were announced by Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini on Tuesday (17 March 2020). Good Friday and Easter services are suspended as are celebrations of the King’s birthday in April and Army Day.

Also visitations to hospitals will be restricted and visits to correctional facilities suspended altogether. The state of emergency will be in place for at least two months.

As of 17 March 2020 only one person in Swaziland has been diagnosed with the virus.



 

 See also


Swaziland teachers and Govt argue over whether schools should close during coronavirus outbreak
 
Swaziland nurses plan protest march over lack of coronavirus equipment
Calls for ban on public gatherings and border closure as Swaziland hit by coronavirus

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