Covid-19 information: Lifting of preventive and restrictive measures

Indeed, for several weeks, the situation of the pandemic in our country has made it possible to observe a downward trend in cases of contamination, including serious cases. In view of this favorable development, it seems appropriate to lighten the preventive and restrictive measures in force in order, in particular, to relaunch economic, cultural and social activities.

Thus, the following measures are lifted:

• the closure of discotheques and the like;

• banning festive gatherings in public places, including beaches;

• the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people;

• the obligation to respect the safety distance between passengers on board public transport;

• the suspension of cultural, festive, sporting and religious events and demonstrations;

• the limitation to 50 of the number of people authorized to take part in burial ceremonies;

• the suspension of the participation of any person from the public administration and the private sector who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19 in meetings (meetings, workshops, forums, seminars, etc.) on national territory;

• access to all public services subject to the presentation of a vaccination pass to persons eligible for vaccination;

• Obtaining coverage forms subject to presentation of the vaccination pass.

The measures maintained concern:

- the obligation to wear masks on board public transport;

- the vaccination obligation for medical and paramedical staff, pharmacists, nursing auxiliaries as well as the administrative staff of public health facilities and employees of the private sector as well as those of pharmaceutical pharmacies;

- access to hospitals for sick parents and caregivers, subject to presentation of the Vaccination Pass.

In addition, the Board strongly recommends:

• wearing masks in all public places, including commercial spaces (shops, stores, supermarkets, ordinary markets and others);

• systematic hand washing with soap and water, or disinfection with hydroalcoholic gel or solution, including in both public and private workplaces;

• vaccination for all eligible persons, in particular teaching and administrative staff of public and private establishments, students, military and paramilitary personnel, motorcycle taxi drivers, students over 12 years of age and parents of students.

With regard to travelers specifically, entry into Beninese territory, both by land, air and sea borders, is subject to the presentation of a negative PCR test dating back no more than 5 days or a negative antigenic RDT 72 hours at most.

As for those leaving Benin, they will have to comply with the requirements of the countries of destination.

Finally, in support of these measures, it is recommended to maintain efforts to achieve a high rate of vaccination at the national level. In this regard, an exhortation is made to all officials at various levels, both in the public and private sectors, to be vaccinated and to recommend vaccination to their agents, in order to guard against the severe form of Covid. -19.