Government threatens to shut down schools over coronavirus non-compliance

By Awan Achiek, Juba-South Sudan 

South Sudan government has threatened to shut down schools over failure to adhere to coronavirus preventative measures meant for schools’ resumption and general public at large. 

The warning comes days after various reports indicate that most schools in the country’s capital Juba were not observing COVID-19 preventive measures. These include wearing facemask, keeping social distancing and washing of hands frequently.

Hussein Abdelbaggi Ayii, the Vice-president in charge of the country’s service cluster threatened to shut down any learning institution that fails to abide by COVID-19 preventive measures. 

“I am here directing schools and school directors that any pupil or student coming to school must wear a facemask. 

“If the school is not abiding by the public health measures, we in the Taskforce on Coronavirus will lock down schools that are not in compliance,” Abdelbaggi told the media after his meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit on May 31. 

He disclosed that he discussed challenges facing public service sector with President Salva Kiir. 

“We discussed problems facing public service especially on how to improve the salaries,” 

“We also discussed the need to employ those who graduated from various Universities and have not been employed since because we want the President to help us in that area,” the Vice President noted. 

The top government official advised the public to continue observing coronavirus preventive measures that were put in place by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the government to curtail disease spread. 

He said that they will prohibit individuals from going to various hotels and restaurants without vaccination cards soon. 

“We will not accept any noncompliance because the third wave is near, some of our neighboring countries are experiencing serious wave,” the Vice President said.

Currently, South Sudan has 10,688 coronavirus cases confirmed cases since the pandemic started last year. In the figure, 10, 514 are recoveries and 115 as fatalities.