REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Paix-Travail-Patrie SERVICES DU PREMIER MINISTRE SECRETARIAT GENERAL
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Peace-Work-Fatherland PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE SECRETARIAT GENERAL
# GOVERNMENT RESPONSE STRATEGY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
SPECIAL STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, HEAD OF GOVERNMENT, OF 16 APRIL 2020
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Interministerial Committee in charge of monitoring the implementation of Government's response strategy to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this Thursday, 16 April 2020, held its weekly meeting to assess on-going actions.
Four major observations were made at the end of the various reports presented during this meeting.
Firstly, it appears the number of patients testing positive for COVID-19 continues to increase. Statistics provided by the Ministry of Public Health show that 996 people have been infected, against 731 on 9 April.
However, 164 people have been declared healed from COVID-19, while 22 deaths from this virus have been reported.
As a result, the mortality rate of COVID-19 remains very low in our country, compared to the total number of patients testing positive and to the situation in other countries.
Secondly, It was noted that the population largely adheres to the measures prescribed by the Head of State to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Cameroon.
The measure concerning the compulsory wearing of protective masks in areas open to the public is welcomed and applied by a very large majority of our compatriots.
In this regard, I would like to state that the technical standards and specifications recently published by the Minister of Industry are not intended to give a few companies the monopoly in producing masks.
The aim of these standards is to improve the quality and effectiveness of masks produced by our local industry, and even artisanal masks produced by our tailors and seamstresses, in order to increase the level of individual and collective protection.
Moreover, the mask does not stop compliance with social distancing measures.
I would like to observe that markets are still a major area of concern.
I, therefore, call for a sense of civic-mindedness and responsibility, for better flow in markets.
Thirdly, the Government has taken full measure of the difficulties faced by certain key sectors of our economy as a result of the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am thinking in particular of the transport, hospitality and catering sectors.
5
In this regard, I would like to say that the restrictions that have been imposed on these sectors and many others since 17 March 2020, are certainly difficult to bear or manage, but essential to protect the national community, given the magnitude of this global pandemic.
It goes without saying that the restrictions inherent in this health crisis will be gradually lifted as the pandemic is brought under control nationally and internationally.
Fourthly, the Government notes with satisfaction the mobilization of national and international stakeholders in the fight against COVID-19 in our country.