Government to repatriate over half a thousand more Cameroonians stuck abroad due to COVID-19 crisis

Weeks ago, there was an outcry after some Cameroonians repatriated by the government escaped quarantine centres where they were kept to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

There are fears a similar incident may repeat itself as the government says it is bringing back home 668 more Cameroonians stuck out of the country. Before this, 675 in total had been brought home.

In a press release, Fouda Seraphin Magloire, Secretary-General at the Prime Minister’s office says negotiations are underway to get them home safe. “In the same vein, the government is facilitating the repatriation of foreigners wishing to return to their respective countries,” she says.

Subsequently, the PM has instructed the Health Minister to finalise measures for quarantined Cameroonians to be repatriated. The Minister of justice was also instructed to “work closely with the ministry of public health to limit the spread of coronavirus in prisons.”

The government also used the opportunity to announce measures being put in place to ensure schools effectively resume on June 1st despite the ongoing pandemic. While a part-time and rotation system is envisaged for those at the basic level of education, emphasis in higher education “could be laid on the segmentation of various departments, sequencing of courses and the multiplication of tutorials.”

Government’s plan comes weeks after several measures were laid and later improved upon to contain the spread of the virus.

Mimi Mefo Info