Update, July 6, 2020

Number of confirmed cases for the whole territory of Madagascar since March 20, 2020 : 3,250

Deaths: 33

Healed: 1,135

In treatment: 2,082

FOR THE ANALAMANGA REGION, NEW LOCKDOWN MEASURES ARE PUT IN PLACE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 DAYS FROM MONDAY, JULY 6:

• All access to the region is closed, and health barriers are reinforced;
• All schools are closed;
• Disinfection operations will be scheduled for all marketplaces;
• Gatherings and events are forbidden;
• Curfew is set between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m;
• All persons wishing to purchase basic necessities are allowed to do so between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.,
• Businesses providing essential services, including public health and suppliers of basic necessities are allowed to pursue activities between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.
• Vehicles and persons providing minimum service within their companies are allowed to circulate between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Vehicles transporting goods are allowed to circulate;
• Taxis driving patients to hospitals or pharmacies are allowed to circulate.

Update, July 3, 2020



Due to the latest developments in the health crisis caused by Covid-19, the suspension of all international AIR MADAGASCAR flights (regional and long-haul) is extended until and including July 31, 2020.



This period may be extended depending on the evolution of the health situation, the instructions given by the Malagasy government and the measures taken by the governments of the countries served by the airline.



Details of the flights concerned :

• ANTANANARIVO – LA REUNION – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – DZAOUDZI – MORONI – ANTANANARIVO
• TOAMASINA – LA REUNION – TOAMASINA
• SAINTE-MARIE – LA REUNION – SAINTE-MARIE
• TOLIARA – TAOLAGNARO – LA REUNION – TAOLAGNARO – TOLIARA
• ANTANANARIVO – PARIS – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – MARSEILLE – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – GUANGZHOU – ANTANANARIVO
  
  
  
  SUSPENDED UNTIL AND INCLUDING AUGUST 30, 2020 :

• ANTANANARIVO – MAURITIUS – ANTANANARIVO
  
  
  
  NB: Repatriation or cargo flights are not concerned.
  
  
  
  Source: Air Madagascar press release (01/07/2020)

Update, June 15, 2020

• Number of confirmed cases: 1291
• Deaths: 10
• Healed: 384
• In treatment: 897

GENERAL AND ALMOST-TOTAL UNLOCKING

All districts and regions are to resume all activities, except for 5 areas, namely: the districts of Toamasina I and II, Fénérive-Est,  Moramanga, and the Analamanga region.

ANALAMANGA REGION

All economic activities are allowed until 5 p.m., except for vulnerable people (people with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, kidney disease);

Public transport may operate until 7 p.m.;

Curfew is maintained from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

DISTRICTS OF TOAMASINA I AND II, FENERIVE EST, AND MORAMANGA 

All economic activities are allowed until 3 p.m., except for vulnerable people (people with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, kidney disease);

Curfew is maintained from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

ECONOMY

New measures on industrialization, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the building and public works sector:

• Industrialization:
  • Construction of new plants by 2023 to meet the needs of the population
  • Reduction in customs duty and VAT
• For SMEs: Provision of a total of USD 40 million credit in the form of a low-interest bank loan;
• Implementation of a Marshall Plan worth 1,043 billion Ariary for the construction of 8 regional university campuses, 174 offices (municipalities, districts, regions), 33 hospital facilities, 33 housing units for medical staff, 874 housing units and 13 social centers, 1,100 new classrooms, 44 residential buildings and ministerial offices, 1,250 km of roads (tar, paved, terraced and bridges) to benefit all regions.

STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY

The state of health emergency is extended for 15 days from June 13, 2020.

All over the Malagasy territory:

• All gatherings of more than 50 people remain forbidden;
• Venues for shows, cultural and sports events also remain closed;
• National and regional transport remains suspended.

Update, June 8, 2020

1,095 confirmed cases with:

• 832 in treatment
• 254 healed
• 9 deaths

GRADUAL UNLOCKING

The lockdown measures put in place by Madagascar’s authorities in 4 regions (out of a total of 22 regions in the country) have been eased in 2 regions since the 1^st of June:

• For the Analamanga region (including the capital Antananarivo):

   –  Extension of working hours until 3 p.m. (instead of 1 p.m.previously)

   –  Public transport will be running until 5 p.m. (instead of 3 p.m.)

• For the Haute Matsiatra region (including the town of Fianarantsoa): total unlocking, except for gatherings of more than 50 people

LOCKDOWN MAINTAINED

All lockdown measures are maintained for the Alaotra Mangoro region (including Moramanga, Andasibe).

The Atsinanana region (including the town of Toamasina) – which has become the main center of the epidemic since May – has been shut down from the other regions with no people traveling, since Monday, June 1. All schools in the region are also closed until further notice.

TRADITIONAL REMEDY -COVID-ORGANICS (CVO)

The supply of personal protective equipment as well as the distribution of CVO (a traditional remedy in the form of an improved herbal tea) in the most vulnerable regions and districts is being strengthened.

STATE OF HEALTH EMERGENCY

The state of health emergency is extended for another 15 days as of May 30, 2020 throughout the country.

• All measures relating to the health emergency are maintained:
• Curfew between 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
• Nightclubs, other party venues as well as cultural and sports venues remain closed.
• Leaving a region without a special authorization from the authorities is prohibited
• Ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.

Update, June 4, 2020

Due to the latest developments in the health crisis caused by Covid-19, the suspension of all international AIR MADAGASCAR flights (regional and long-haul) is extended until and including June 30, 2020.

This period may be extended depending on the evolution of the health situation, the instructions given by the Malagasy government and the measures taken by the governments of the countries served by the airline.

Details of the flights concerned:

• ANTANANARIVO – MAURITIUS – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – MORONI – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – LA REUNION – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – DZAOUDZI – ANTANANARIVO
• TOAMASINA – LA REUNION – TOAMASINA
• SAINTE-MARIE – LA REUNION – SAINTE-MARIE
• TOLIARA – TAOLAGNARO – LA REUNION – TAOLAGNARO – TOLIARA
• ANTANANARIVO – PARIS – ANTANANARIVO
• ANTANANARIVO – GUANGZHOU – ANTANANARIVO

NB: Repatriation or cargo flights are not concerned.

Source: Air Madagascar press release (06/04/2020)

Update, April 21, 2020

121 confirmed cases including:

• 77 in treatment
• 44 cured

Positive screening test rate: 5%.

Official launch of the remedy: COVID-ORGANICS

The Malagasy State officially launched the distribution of “CVO” or “Covid-Organics”, an improved traditional remedy, based on a medicinal plant called artemisia which has curative and preventive virtues to fight coronavirus symptoms. The production of this remedy is entrusted to the Malagasy Institute for Applied Research (IMRA).

New provisions on the state of emergency and lockdown applied from Monday, April 20:

1) Progressive lockdown exit: movements

• The curfew is maintained throughout the country. It is now from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., instead of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• From Monday, April 20, people going out of their homes will be required to wear masks. A free distribution is planned from April 20 to 26^th, in the towns that have registered contact cases (Antananarivo, Toamasina and Fianarantsoa).
• Starting from Monday, April 27, anyone not wearing a mask will be required to perform community service (cleaning of gardens, schools or streets). 

• The gathering of more than 50 people remains prohibited (cultural and sports events…).
• Those residing in Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa and Toamasina are not allowed to leave their area of residence.

2) Progressive resumption of work: Civil servants, private sector, liberal professions, and restaurants

1. resumption will be limited to a half day of work, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2. As for civil servants, the minimum service already established will be maintained. The organization will depend on each Minister and Ministry. 

3. Actors in the Private sector are invited to organize themselves according to their fields of activity.
4. Liberal professions will gradually resume starting from Wednesday, April 22. This resumption will be accompanied by health measures:

         –       A maximum of 5 people is allowed in shared spaces.

         –       A minimum distance of 1 meter must be kept.

         –       Masks must be worn.

         –       Hygiene measures must be adopted.

         –       All activities must end at 1 p.m. 


• Restaurants are allowed to receive clients on site until 1:00 p.m. Beyond that time, activities will continue exclusively through a home delivery system.

3) Public transportation

• Taxis are allowed to transport a maximum of 3 passengers (1 in the front and 2 in the back).
• Buses (taxi be) will be allowed to circulate but without the folding seats at aisle level. Transporting standing passengers is strictly forbidden. Moreover, the maximum number of passengers will be limited to 18 per bus. Failure to comply with these measures is liable to impoundment.
• Masks must be worn by passengers and drivers.
• Taxi brousse departing from Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa and Toamasina are not yet allowed to circulate.
• All public transport vehicles will be compulsorily disinfected. 


4) Education sector

As for the education sector, the gradual resumption is scheduled as follows: Wednesday, April 22, for students in the 12^th and 9^th grades and Monday, April 27 for students in the 5^th grade. This will also follow a few conditions: 

• Masks will be distributed to all students.
• The Covid-Organics will also be distributed for free to the students in order to protect them against the Covid-19.
• In the classrooms, each student will use an individual bench and health measures must be respected.

Update, April 6, 2020

82 confirmed cases including:

• 0 deaths
• 2 cured
• 54 imported cases and 28 contact cases

Of the remaining 80 patients:

• 63 are asymptomatic
• 17 are symptomatic

The State has decreed the continuity of the state of emergency for 15 days.

For the regions of Analamanga (Antananarivo), Antsinanana (Toamasina) and Haute Matsiatra (Fianarantsoa), the lockdown is extended until April 19.

Additional measures are also being adopted:

• The wearing of face masks on the streets as well as in workplaces.
• The setting up of hand-washing stations, disinfection of all parking lots and vehicles and the provision of hand sanitizers for vehicles.

Exceptional measures are also being put in place to allow persons confined in one of the three regions concerned to return to their regions of origin. Travels by taxi brousse are therefore exceptionally authorized from April 7 to 9, between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m

During the same period, the State authorizes the resumption of regional flights between Antananarivo and the regions where no contact cases have been identified so far, i.e. flights linking Antananarivo to Mahajanga, Toliara, Taolagnaro, Nosy Be, Morondava and Antsiranana.

All these trips are subject to strict sanitary measures.

All the measures relating to the state of emergency remain in force until April 19 throughout the territory of Madagascar:

• The curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• The closure of all schools and universities
• The closure of churches
• The closure of nightclubs and other party venues as well as cultural and sporting venues.
• A ban on any gathering of more than 50 people.
• A ban on movement except for vehicles transporting goods and persons with special authorizations from the competent authorities.

Community committees called “Loharano” will be set up to ensure the proper conduct, control and observation of the distribution of goods and equipment donated by the State for residents in each fokontany (neighbourhood).

Update, March 31, 2020

50 confirmed cases with:

• 48 imported cases and 2 contact cases.
• 39 asymptomatic and 11 symptomatic
• 0 deaths

The State is implementing a programme of rapid diagnostic testing, which will take place from March 31to April 2, for the 5,000 or so passengers who travelled from abroad on flights from March 11 to March 19, 2020.

On the media and social networks, the awareness-raising on confinement is supported by the mobilization of a dozen local celebrities as well as the BAREA champions- the national football team, who succeeded in uniting the Malagasy people through their first qualification for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2019.

Update, March 27, 2020

Establishment of a COVID-19 operational command center.

26 confirmed cases, including 4 symptomatic patients

General measures:

• Curfew between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Confinement for 15 days from Monday, March 23, except for shops and suppliers of basic necessities, banks, drugstores, and persons with special permissions to move around.

Closing of exits and installation of sanitary barriers in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. 

Suspension of all flights to and from Antananarivo and Toamasina (main port of the Island).

Permanent mobilization of the National Television for awareness raising and transmission of information in real time.

Tax measures for businesses:

• Deferral and/or suspension of tax declarations and payments
• Suspension of tax audits until May 31

Support for needy and homeless families:

• Provision of basic necessities at reduced prices,
• Accommodation provided by the urban commune of Antananarivo, and distribution of basic necessities for the homeless.   

Update, March 17, 2020

All international flights without exception will be suspended for 30 days starting from Friday, 20 March 2020.

Source : Statement from the President of the Republic on 17/03/2020

Update, March 16, 2020

The Malagasy authorities have decided, as a preventive and protective measure, that all passengers from Europe arriving in Madagascar before Thursday, 19 March will be subject to new strict health control measures followed by systematic quarantine.

During this period, the Malagasy authorities are providing two 14-day quarantine options, i.e. :

• Self-isolation (at the passenger’s home or temporary accommodation) with regular checks to monitor the passenger’s state of health.
  OR
• Health authority quarantine at the Malagasy authorities’ expense.
  All passengers who wish to stay in Madagascar are asked to submit to these measures by signing a solemn undertaking on arrival.

Source: President’s Office of the Republic of Madagascar (16/03/2020)

Update, March 15, 2020

Subsequent to instructions from the President of the Republic of Madagascar dated 14 March 2020, the Madagascar Civil Aviation authorities (ACM) confirm that :

• Flights to and from Madagascar and Europe, Reunion and Mayotte will be suspended as of Thursday, 19 March 2020
• Madagascar residents who have stayed in the aforesaid countries may therefore return to the country by Thursday, 19 March 2020
• Until further notice, airlines serving Madagascar may not take passengers from Europe, Reunion and Mayotte, or who have been in/passed through those areas in the 14 days prior to boarding. Otherwise, the airline involved will have to bear the full cost of their mandatory quarantine.

These measures will be enforced until 18 April 2020 and may be extended as the situation develops.

Source: Circular from the Aviation Civile de Madagascar (15/03/2020)

Update, March 14, 2020

To date, no cases of Coronavirus have been detected in Madagascar.

The authorities of Madagascar have taken a series of preventive measures to minimize the introduction and possible circulation of COVID-19 on its territory.

These measures include the suspension of all flights from Europe, namely Italy, France, Germany and Spain, for a period of 30 days.

In addition, flights from La Reunion and Mayotte will be temporarily suspended.

However, those who wish to return to the country can do so until Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Moreover, it has been decided that the International Airport of Ivato will be the only connecting airport for the other countries which are not concerned. And all airports in the provinces will no longer accommodate flights starting from Sunday, March 15, 2020.

During the same period, cruise ships will no longer be able to dock in Malagasy coasts.

Source: Presidency of the Republic

Update, March 12, 2020

Systematic disinfection measures are undertaken for all passengers arriving in Madagascar.

Source : Council of Ministers on 11/3/2020