The government of Madagascar has announced the end of the state of health emergency. The state had been introduced following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

President Andry Rajoelina claims that the country has a 96% recovery rate, which he has attributed to some of the measures against the virus that had been put in place, amongst them the free distribution of more than seven million doses of Covid-Organics across the island. Covid-Organics is an artemesia based drink that Rajoelina claimed early on, when the coronavirus hit Madagascar, could prevent and cure coronavirus infection. The drink had come under much criticism from scientists and the WHO, but also won support from some African countries.

The reopening of Madagascar’s borders which had been scheduled for October 29 has, nevertheless  been postponed. Africa News reports that this was due to the increase in cases in other countries. Nosy Be airport is to remain open to countries not suffering from a second wave of the pandemic. International flights to Madagascar are, however, to remain suspended.

Umm Muhammed Umar