Senegal declares state of emergency amid virus surge

DAKAR, Senegal

Senegal on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in parts of the country where coronavirus infections have touched alarming peaks.

A daily night curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be enforced in the regions of Dakar and Thies starting Wednesday, President Macky Sall announced in a televised address.

These two of Senegal's 14 regions account for “more than 90% of the cases in the country,” according to the president.

“This is a grave hour,” Sally said, urging people to follow all safety rules as the country battles a second COVID-19 wave.

The president did not specify the duration of the new measures, which have come six months after a first nationwide state of emergency was lifted on June 30 last year.

Senegal’s case tally to date stands at 19,964, including 428 fatalities and 17,690 recoveries, according to latest Health Ministry data.

*Writing by Felix Tih