Madagascar: Andry Rajoelina toughens measures against Covid-19

The Malagasy Head of State has announced the restoration of the state of health emergency following the second wave of the Coronavirus. In a speech broadcast on the national channel, Andry Rajoelina recalled the presence of the South African variant among the tested cases.

This restoration of the state of health emergency implies the closure of all schools and universities as well as the establishment of a curfew, from 9pm to 4am, throughout the national territory. According to Mr Rajoelina, the South African variant has been identified in about 15 tests sent to the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France. According to his communication, this variant was introduced into Madagascar by travellers from the Comoros Islands.
Recourse to the vaccine?

Before the speech of the Malagasy Head of State, several sources alerted the opinion on the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the island’s hospitals. On 20 March, the regions of Mahagana and Nosy-Be, in the north-west, were isolated following the rise in cases of the pandemic. Faced with this increase in cases, Antananarivo announced its recourse to the vaccine in order to limit the circulation of the pandemic. « Following a consultation with members of the National Academy of Medicine, Madagascar has identified two vaccines that meet the required criteria and will join the programme, » said the Head of State.

The country has been facing the Coronavirus pandemic since March 2020. According to the latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the island has more than 25,500 cases, of which more than 22,000 have been cured and more than 450 have died.

As a reminder, at the beginning of the pandemic, Madagascar stood out in the apology of traditional medicine in the fight against the pandemic. The Head of State, Andry Rajoelina, even presented Covid-Organics, a remedy based on artemisia, « with preventive and curative virtues against Covid-19 ».