Niamey
– The Sahel state of Niger has announced the end of a night-time curfew on the
capital Niamey and reopening of places of worship that had been closed since
late March under measures to contain the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

“The government, after
receiving proposals from religious leaders and after consultation with the Covid-19
experts’ committee, and in the light of the favourable trend of Covid-19
disease development, has decided to reopen places of worship as of
Wednesday,” an official statement read on state radio said.

The measure was widely expected
in the Muslim-majority nation, where the government had already eased measures
for Ramadaan.

The statement issued late on Tuesday
also said that the curfew imposed in Niamey was being lifted as of Wednesday.

The authorities are asking
religious leaders to “require” that worshippers observe “minimum
barrier measures”, including hand cleaning using soap or sanitising gel,
disinfecting places of worship before prayers, wearing a mask and maintaining
physical distancing of at least a metre.

Government ‘reserves right to reconsider’

“In the event of any
deterioration of the situation in connection with the reopening of places of
worship, the government reserves the right to reconsider this decision,”
the statement said.

Niamey was shaken by four days of
unrest in April that had been sparked by the restrictions. Police made nearly
300 arrests.

The 19:00 to 06:00 curfew was
eased following the disturbance and ahead of Ramadaan, running instead from
21:00 to 05:00.

Niger, one of the world’s poorest
countries, recorded 854 cases of coronavirus as of late Tuesday, 47 of them
fatalities.

Stay healthy and entertained during the national lockdown. Sign up for our Lockdown Living newsletter. Register and manage your newsletters in the new News24 app by clicking on the Profile tab