South Sudan bans public transport to curb spread of COVID-19

JUBA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Saturday banned all means of transport in an effort to control the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Riek Machar, First Vice President who is also the deputy chair of the high-level task force on COVID-19 pandemic, said the committee banned also hawking and motorcycle taxis from transporting passengers except for cargo delivery.

Machar said in a statement issued in Juba the taskforce instructed local authorities and law enforcement agencies countrywide to implement the orders with immediate effect.

"The body directs shops and businesses selling non-essential commodities such as electronics, phones and clothes, hair salons, barbershops, manicure and beauty shops must cease to operate and shut down," Machar said.

He noted that only businesses dealing in food commodities, machines, fuel, groceries, fruits and vegetables will be allowed to operate.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir recently issued an executive order imposing night-time curfew as the measure to combat the virus as neighboring Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia confirmed cases.

South Sudan, which has no confirmed COVID-19 case, has already imposed several preventive measures such as a ban on social gatherings, cancellation of international flights and closure of all border crossings including Juba International Airport. Enditem