In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gombe is currently the coronavirus hotspot. Although if it takes off here (I hate to say ‘when’), the disease will hit the poorest hardest. Gombe is the upmarket commune in the centre of the capital city, Kinshasa, where ministries, embassies and five-star hotels are located. The entire district has been put into quarantine for 14 days; you need a special pass to get past the checkpoints.
The government has been taking action for nearly a month, but its actions have not been consistent. On 21 March national borders were closed. Kinshasa was subsequently quarantined and orders for a five day ‘national confinement’ were issued last week. But the president cancelled the confinement because so many people objected to the financial effects.
Now bars, restaurants and cinemas are closed, supermarkets remain open, and people are advised not to leave their homes unless they have to.