In Burundi, the delay in the arrival of the Coronavirus is due to God protect ... but after the country recorded the first infections, the authorities once again reaffirm divine intervention and see no good reason for taking measures that hinder daily life.
The ruling party has sought to reassure the country's population that there is no need to worry about the deadly epidemic sweeping the world, allowing life to go as usual and even forge ahead in the presidential elections scheduled for May 20.
Don't be afraid. God loves Burundi and if there are people who have been infected with the virus, this is a way in which God shows his authority in Burundi, said General Evarist Ndayeshimiye, the presidential candidate for the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Defense Forces for Democracy.
The injured are in good condition, while Koved kills 19 people everywhere else, he told supporters during a political rally.
While strict closures have crippled life in cities throughout Africa and the world, restaurants, and bars are still open in Burundi, with the authorities ruling out similar restrictions on citizens ’freedoms.
As weddings and funerals continue, thousands of believers flock to churches and mosques, and crowded markets remain open in this country of 11 million people.
The political campaigns of Ndayashimi and his rival, Agathon, are still continuing, and competitive rallies are still being held between the presidential candidates.
The most surprising thing is that Burundi is one of the few countries that have maintained the first and second football tournaments, with spectators being asked to wash their hands and undergo a temperature test.
But not all residents of the government share their faith and optimism.
Everyone knows we will one day wake up as the number of casualties in the country explodes, even if we are (God's favorite), said a resident of Bujumbura, the main city in Burundi.
Elections at what cost?
Some banks impose social distance measures, and handwashing stations have been introduced at the entrance to many shops and restaurants.The government also took some measures, and broadcasted public health messages through television and radio stations, while the international airport in Bujumbura was closed a month ago.
Its land borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were also closed, but it left its borders open with Tanzania, the lifeline of economic life.
The government said that more than 675 people were quarantined throughout Burundi. We have documented that these quarantine sites are overcrowded and unsanitary, which increases the risk of the virus spreading in an uncontrollable manner, Louis Moudge, head of the Human Rights Watch human rights watchdog in Central Africa, told AFP.
When the quarantine is imposed, the government must ensure that the quarantined people have access to food, water, housing and health care, he said.
Diplomats, UN officials and civil society groups have expressed concern about Burundi's ability to cope with the epidemic.
Burundi was among the last countries to report confirmed cases of coronavirus, with three cases last week.
Earlier, government spokesman Prosper Ntahuramiye said Burundi thanked God for saving the country from the epidemic.
It looks as if the government is doing everything in its power to avoid discovering new cases so that they don't have to postpone the elections, said a Burundi activist, who declined to be named.
A diplomat, who asked not to be named, also said that all official decisions made about the Coronavirus so far were political, not medical, and general elections will be held on May 20 at any cost.
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