Senegal extends state of emergency amid virus surge

By Fatma Esma Arslan

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) – Senegal on Monday extended a state of emergency in parts of the country where coronavirus infections have reached alarming peaks.

A night curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be enforced in the regions of Dakar and Thies starting Wednesday, Interior Minister Felix Abdoulaye Diome announced in a televised address.

On Jan. 6, President Macky Sall declared a state of emergency in those two of Senegal's 14 regions. According to the president, Dakar and Thies account for “more than 90% of the cases in the country.”

Senegal’s case tally stands at 23,224, including 526 fatalities and 19,414 recoveries, according to the latest Health Ministry data.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur