Corona Watch

Senegal

Senegal's holy city of Touba is fighting a second wave of Covid-19 infections, dashing hopes that swift action by authorities had stopped the new coronavirus from spreading in the one-time epicentre.

Confirmed cases in Touba have risen seven-fold to more than 190 since a market trader fell ill in April, ending a two-week lull in new cases.

Now, as other countries in West Africa, including Nigeria and Ghana, are beginning to ease lockdowns to assist those whose livelihoods were disrupted, Senegal is tightening restrictions to try to contain the outbreak. – Nampa/Reuters

Morocco

Morocco's central bank has asked banks to withhold dividends this year so they are better placed to deal with any fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Moroccan banks have already been asked to defer payments on loans to both individuals and companies as lockdown measures, which began on March 20 and have been extended until May 20, hit the economy.

The country's planning agency expects the economy to contract 6.8% in the second quarter after growing 0.7% in the first quarter.

It has estimated the crisis will cost economy US$3 billion in the first half of this year. – Nampa/Reuters

Tunisia

Tunisia recorded zero new coronavirus cases for the first time since early March, health authorities said yesterday, as the government will further relax restrictions on movement and businesses.

Tunisia started relaxing its coronavirus lockdown last week, reopening parts of the food, construction and transport sectors and allowing half of government employees to return to work. Shopping centres, clothing shops and hairdressers opened yesterday, with more indications that Tunisia is close to controlling the pandemic.

Tunisia said the country’s economy will shrink by up to 4.3%, the steepest drop since independence in 1956. – Nampa/Reuters