Khartoum journalists complain about coronavirus checkpoints

Journalists complain that they can not do their work properly as they are being stopped and held up at checkpoints on the main roads and at bridges in Khartoum.

The Sudanese Journalists Network said in a statement yesterday that journalists and other staff working for newspapers, radio, television and satellite channels “perform a sacred duty that is no less important than that of other professionals, whose work makes movement in these times of distress necessary”.

The network called on the transitional government to remove obstacles that members of the regular forces “insist on putting in place to paralyse the work of the media”.

According to the latest report of the federal Ministry of Health, the number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Sudan reached 6,730 on Tuesday. 140 new cases were registered the day before that, twelve people died, and 76 recovered.

Khartoum state counts 5,218 recorded coronavirus cases, El Gezira 577. A number of them came from Khartoum, the ministry noted.

The government of El Gezira decided to prevent new cases on Wednesday by closing all borders and withdrawing all traffic permits. El Kamlin locality in El Gezira re-opened all markets from 7:00 until 12:00. It also terminated all leaves of absence of its employees.

The government of Northern State, where 22 Covid-19 patients have been recorded so far, extended the lockdown for another ten days starting Saturday, with an exception for markets. They are allowed to re-open on Sunday, from 6:00 until 12:00. The closure of the state’s borders will last an additional two weeks. The roads between Khartoum and Northern state will be checked in particular.

In Sennar, the markets will re-open on Friday. Groups prayers in mosques will be allowed again as well, as 75 of all 128 recorded coronavirus cases recovered. Sennar still has 53 recorded patients.

The governor of Sennar, Maj Gen Mohamed Osman, stressed the need to adhere to all precautionary measures, including curfews, and bans on traffic coming from Ethiopia, South Sudan and bordering states within Sudan.

Sheikan locality in North Kordofan decided to re-open all mosques in the state capital El Obeid. Worshipers must wear face masks, and bring their own prayer rugs.

The 16:00-6:00 curfew in Khartoum remains in force. All bridges between Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North remain closed.

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