What's the government response timeline for Afghanistan?

Afghanistan bans all passenger movement (including air and ground travel) to and from Iran on February 23 over concerns of spread of COVID-19 "Since May 11, the crossing has been open for trade on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m" https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/316731/afghanistan-country-bans-air-and-ground-travel-to-and-from-iran-over-covid-19-february-23 http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/15/c_139057641.htm

"The Ministry of Public Health on Sunday reported three suspected cases of coronavirus in the western province of Herat. The three infected persons are Herat residents who recently returned from Qom city in Iran, the Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told TOLOnews. Blood samples of the three have been sent to Kabul to be tested, and the results will be available soon, he said." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/3-suspected-cases-coronavirus-reported-afghanistan

My text to a member of the MoPH team regarding the guidelines on MoPH website: https://moph.gov.af/dr/%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87 non-archive version of the site: https://moph.gov.af/dr/??????-???-?????-???-???? "Hello, I have questions about some of these guidelines. Who is the best person for me to ask? Should I continue to ask you or reach out to someone at MoPH? My immediate questions are: 1) What is the start date of implementing these guidelines? I noticed that one of the guidelines said it was created on April 4th. Is that true of all of them? 2) When did MoPH started contact tracing? The document says that contact tracing happens for those who test positive or show symptoms upon arriving to mentioned airports and border points. What if someone tests positive in other locations? How is contact tracing done for them? 3) When was the first day that testing became available in Afghanistan? When it did, was it available for everyone? Or was there a criteria for who could get tested? What is the criteria (generally available or available to only those who show symptoms) for testing now? Can you please respond to each questions? If you don't have answers, please let me know and I will try to reach out to others. Thanks so much!" Their response: "Each guideline has been developed in different time frames based on need while most of them were developed in February. The contact tracing started by the first COVID19 confirmed case on 24th February 2020; however, the national and provincial contact tracing teams were established on 27th February. The contact tracing is done for all confirmed cases form all over the country through phone calls. There has been a form, SoP, and guidelines developed for the purpose, I am copying Momena Jan (the national focal point of contact tracing) for more info if needed. The testing was available in early February and it was based on the case definition of that time (only people coming from China in points of entries having sign and symptoms of the disease were tested) then when Iran was also confirmed as a country with transmission potentials, the passengers from Iran was also screened and if they had sign and symptoms they were also being tested. I hope it helps. In case of more information, we would be happy to help. Regards"

All public gatherings in Herat were banned until further notice. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20200309-sitrep-covid-19.pdf

"Efforts mad by the MoPH for the prevention and control of COVID-19 are as the following: Assigned health teams for screening of the passengers in the National Airports and boarders entry points Established specific areas for quarantine in Kabul and in the provinces for the control of COVID-19 Awareness campaigns Established inter sectorial committees and emergency committees" https://moph.gov.af/en/moph-held-emergency-meeting-international-health-partners-fight-against-spread-and-control-covid-19

On March 14, 2020, the Afghan government announced the closure of all schools and universities for a month. The academic year in most of the country beings on March 21st, but this postponed the commencement until mid-April. http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

On March 14, 2020, the Afghan government announced closure of schools for a month. Academic year in most of the country beings on March 21st. As of now, the schools will not start the new academic year until April 21, 2020: http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

On March 14, 2020, the Afghan government announced closure of schools for a month. Academic year in most of the country beings on March 21st. As of now, the schools will not start the new academic year until April 21, 2020: /web/20200401000832/ http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

The Afghan Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Wednesday called for closure of venues that attract large crowds including entertainment places, sports grounds, swimming pools, fitness clubs and wedding halls to slow the spread of the coronavirus – COVID-Link . KABUL: Afghanistan announced Saturday that new measures will be taken to protect citizens from coronavirus outbreak; schools will be closed for a month, New Year festival and all sports events will be cancelled to help contain the novel coronavirus that is spreading across the world https://tolonews.com/health/moi-puts-ban-public-gatherings-over-coronavirus http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

"The authorities in the eastern Afghan region of Nangarhar have decided to shut down Jalalabad, which is the provincial capital and one of the largest cities in the country, due to COVID-19 fears." https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/afghan-authorities-close-eastern-city-of-jala-873131.html

25th March On Wednesday, authorities placed Herat, Zaranj (capital of Nimroz province) and Farah (capital of Farah province) under daytime curfews requiring people to stay home unless for essential journeys. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-herat-emerges-afghanistan-epicentre-200325032420910.html https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20200309-sitrep-covid-19.pdf /web/20200426092444/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/afghans-brace-covid-19-outbreak-200415055726150.html /web/20200426092605/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-fears-afghanistan-influx-iran-200406111308646.html

25th March On Wednesday, authorities placed Herat, Zaranj (capital of Nimroz province) and Farah (capital of Farah province) under daytime curfews requiring people to stay home unless for essential journeys. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-herat-emerges-afghanistan-epicentre-200325032420910.html https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20200309-sitrep-covid-19.pdf /web/20200426092444/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/afghans-brace-covid-19-outbreak-200415055726150.html /web/20200426092605/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-fears-afghanistan-influx-iran-200406111308646.html

On Wednesday (March 25), authorities placed Herat, Zaranj (capital of Nimroz province) and Farah (capital of Farah province) under daytime curfews. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-herat-emerges-afghanistan-epicentre-200325032420910.html

The governor said that all government institutions in Kabul city and in the province--except the Ministry of Public Health and the municipality and security institutions--will be closed for at least three weeks: https://tolonews.com/health/kabul-lockdown-begins-saturday-officials

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Kabul governor Mohammad Yaqub Haidari said, “All buses should stop movements in the city. All stores, except grocery stores, should remain closed." https://tolonews.com/health/coronavirus-cases-reach-110-afghanistan The MoPH website, however, has guidelines in local languages for disseminating information re COVID-19 (aka public awareness campaigns) at public bus stations: archived link: https://moph.gov.af/sites/default/files/2020-04/8-%20%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF%20%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%20%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%20%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%20%D8%A8%D8%B3%20%D9%87%D8%A7.pdf

"Minister of Public Health Ferozuddin Feroz, at an opening ceremony for a COVID-19 testing center in Kabul on Monday, said the capacity of health facilities in the country will be increased to 1,000 tests a day by the end of this week. The center was used for animal health previously, but it will now operate under the Ministry of Public Health and will have the capacity of performing 100 tests in 24 hours. Right now, the country’s COVID-19 testing centers have the capacity of 600 tests a day: 400 in Kabul, 100 in Herat and 100 in Nangarhar. Feroz said that the capacity of the centers will be increased further in the coming weeks." https://tolonews.com/health/ministry-increases-testing-capacity-covid-19

https://moph.gov.af/en/moph-held-emergency-meeting-international-health-partners-fight-against-spread-and-control-covid-19 And a comprehensive list of guidelines on screening, supervisory checklist from health centers, proper use of PPE, guidelines for NGOs, guidelines for bus stations, guidelines for self-isolating, etc. https://moph.gov.af/dr/??????-???-?????-???-???? https://moph.gov.af/dr/????-?????-?????

On March 14, 2020, the Afghan government announced closure of schools for a month. Academic year in most of the country beings on March 21st. As of now, the schools will not start the new academic year until April 21, 2020: http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

On March 14, 2020, the Afghan government announced closure of schools for a month. Academic year in most of the country beings on March 21st. As of now, the schools will not start the new academic year until April 21, 2020: /web/20200401000832/ http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghanistan-shuts-schools-bans-public-events-amid-coronavirus-fears/

The Ulema's high commission for fighting the coronavirus on Sunday imposed a ban on all religious, political and cultural gatherings until the full eradication of COVID-19 in the country in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus in Afghanistan. The funeral of a person who dies of the coronavirus should be carried out in accordance with special measures, and with a few close relatives. This also comes as at least 500 mosques were closed in Herat late last week in an attempt by the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the province. Sunni mosques largely stayed open until April 5, when the Ulema High Commission established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 issued a fatwa to close the mosques and the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs joined in announcing new restrictions. Prior to the April 5 decision, some mullahs were encouraging people to gather in mosques and pray for a cure. The ministry of public health asked the people to respect the day-time curfew rule and stay in their homes. https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/in-afghanistan-muslim-call-to-prayer-now-carries-stay-at-home-message/30542023.html https://tolonews.com/health/afghan-clerics-ban-religious-political-gatherings-amid-covid-19 http://www.afghanistantimes.af/amid-virus-clerics-issue-fatwa-again-religious-political-gatherings/ https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/coronavirus-afghanistan-opportunity-build-trust-taliban

9th April More than 1,500 police officers have been deployed in the Afghan capital, Kabul, to enforce the lockdown. Only health workers, security forces, and people shopping for basic necessities will be allowed onto the streets. Stay at home or be fined for violating lockdown. Difficult for many people who have to go to work to earn a daily wage. "According to the ministry, 1,600 police and 400 police vehicles have been deployed to carry out the restrictions imposed in Kabul. The Interior Ministry has urged people not to leave their homes unless it is essential. The ministry has warned that those who leave their homes "without an urgent reason" will face legal consequences." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/kabul-streets-cleared-police-tighten-lockdown /web/20200426092654/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/afghans-concerned-income-covid-19-lockdown-200409042712773.html

Effective 11 April, all of Jalalabad City is to be on complete lockdown with civilians told to stay home, barring leaving to buy food, medicines, or other essential items as well as emergency cases. Initial reports indicate that civilians who do not comply have been arrested or fined by ANSF members, who are actively patrolling the city to reinforce compliance with the COVID-19 measures. In addition, provincial GOA authorities have limited the numbers of days and hours food shops and markets are permitted to be open, with such shops allowed to be open only four days a week during daytime hours.

The capital Kabul is under lockdown until at least 9 May. All movement between Kabul and the other provinces is suspended; exceptions will be made only for food supply vehicles, medical professionals and COVID-19 patients. Afghan authorities continue to announce measures to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities issued a statement April 11 indicating that transport to and from Kabul Province would be largely suspended from April 12. The movement to and from the province will only be permitted for essential purposes, including food deliveries. Although travel is possible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-afghanistan-enhances-movement-restrictions-kabul-april-12 https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/331696/afghanistan-afghan-national-police-anp-vehicle-targeted-by-ied-in-khair-khana-on-12-april https://pandemic.internationalsos.com/2019-ncov/ncov-travel-restrictions-flight-operations-and-screening

"Government offices, except essential service providers, will also remain closed for three more weeks, Palace spokesman said." "The Afghan government on Thursday extended the Kabul lockdown for three more weeks, vowing more restrictions on movement in the city, which has an estimated population of six million. The lockdown also applies to provincial districts. Meanwhile, roads that connect Kabul with other provinces will also remain closed. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Interior Affairs in a statement on Thursday, calling on the citizens to take the lockdown measures seriously. Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi in a tweet announced that government employees, except essential service employees, will be off for three more weeks until May 9." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/govt-extends-kabul-lockdown-fears-grow

"The Afghan government on Thursday extended the Kabul lockdown for three more weeks, vowing more restrictions on movement in the city, which has an estimated population of six million. The lockdown also applies to provincial districts. Meanwhile, roads that connect Kabul with other provinces will also remain closed. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Interior Affairs in a statement on Thursday, calling on the citizens to take the lockdown measures seriously. Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi in a tweet announced that government employees, except essential service employees, will be off for three more weeks until May 9." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/govt-extends-kabul-lockdown-fears-grow

I need to confirm if this still remains targeted or is general now.

"Residents of first street of Taimani, PD 10, in Kabul city have complained about a restaurant being active in the area despite the issued restrictions from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health. According to the residents, police have so far not been able to shut down the restaurant. This comes after the Afghan government issued restrictions on restaurants and hotels in some cities including Kabul city in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. “A police commander came here and warned the owner of the restaurant to close,” stated Mirza Mohammad, a representative of the area. “The government banned all hotels and restaurants, but this one has not been blocked yet,” said Ahmad Qasim, a resident of the area. Fariba Sadat, a TOLOnews reporter, stated that she was insulted by the owner of the restaurant, and her camera was broken too. “The owner of the restaurant is a woman. She grabbed our camera by her guards, and prevented us from taking pictures,” said Sadat." https://tolonews.com/business/restaurant-active-kabul-despite-lockdown-residents

Ever since the lockdown in Kabul city was extended until May 9 (see below), I have been looking for an official announcement from the Ministry of Education regarding school closure extension. There is no such announcement made, but the schools remain closed. I confirmed via WhatsApp text with the Deputy Minister of Education. "The Afghan government on Thursday extended the Kabul lockdown for three more weeks, vowing more restrictions on movement in the city, which has an estimated population of six million. The lockdown also applies to provincial districts. Meanwhile, roads that connect Kabul with other provinces will also remain closed. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Interior Affairs in a statement on Thursday, calling on the citizens to take the lockdown measures seriously. Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi in a tweet announced that government employees, except essential service employees, will be off for three more weeks until May 9." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/govt-extends-kabul-lockdown-fears-grow

This news mentions that Afghanistan has a very limited capacity for testing. Even all symptomatic and eligible cannot be tested https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-tough-times-ahead-as-afghanistan-struggles-to-manage-pandemic/a-53207173

With the extension of lockdown in Kabul city until May 9, public transport is even further limited. Anecdotal reports indicate that police checkpoints only allow movement of private vehicles, that too for urgent matters.

29/04: ”Afghanistan on Wednesday began free distribution of bread at bakeries for the poor and needy as the coronavirus lockdown continues in the country. Up to 250,000 needy families in the capital Kabul will begin receiving ten flat naan breads per day in the first phase of the project, the Kabul Municipality announced. Kabul Mayor Mohammad Dawood Sultanzoy said the project aims at addressing the basic need of those worst affected by the lockdown measures due to the pandemic. “The bakeries that have the capacity to distribute bread to the deserving have been selected for the project considering their compliance with health guidelines as well as the quality and quantity of the bread,” he said. A day earlier, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani announced the bread distribution project would be replicated in other worst affected cities, including Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar, Kunduz and Jalalabad." https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-afghanistan-begins-free-bread-drive-for-poor/1822939

"The poor were left out of a plan recently implemented by the Afghan government to provide free bread specifically for needy families in Kabul, say protesters. The initiative involved providing aid through the city's bakeries, and along with problems caused by overcrowding amid the COVID-19 outbreak, residents say the plan failed because the lists of families to be given the bread were incorrect and not transparent. On Thursday, angry residents in some areas of the capital gathered in large crowds to express these concerns. They said that many of the needy families were deprived of the free bread in the distribution initiative. Protesters who gathered in PD17 of Kabul said that the lists that were provided to the bakers did not include the needy people living in the vicinity." https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/poor-deprived-govt%E2%80%99s-bread-distribution-initiative-residents

"Movement outside of homes by residents has increased in the city of Kabul this week despite warnings from the government to stay in and take the lockdown seriously. The police presence has decreased in many parts of the city over the last few days. Originally, police were deployed to restrict the movements of the people and prevent crowds from forming, but police have not been seen lately, especially in areas where the government has started distributing bread for vulnerable families and where crowding threatens to increase the spread of the virus. “Poverty is a big problem and people have no option but to go out and find some bread,” said Mohammad Samim, a Kabul resident." https://tolonews.com/health/lockdown-not-heeded-kabul-covid-19-cases-rise

[Coronavirus may be spreading undetected in Afghanistan Random testing of 500 people reveals a third are infected with Covid-19, prompting fears about country's ability to cope with outbreak The results of the random tests in the Afghan capital of Kabul are "concerning," said Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar. A total of 156 residents had tested positive after being given two separate tests. "It gives us a clear indication about the extent of the problem and how serious it is," he told the Telegraph. "Therefore it's an alarming sign for us to be more vigilant, increase our precautionary measures, increase our preventative measures and ask Kabul residents to observe social distancing."] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-may-spreading-undetected-afghanistan/

[More than a third of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Afghan capital have been among doctors and other healthcare staff, two senior health officials said on Thursday, in a sign that the war-torn country is struggling to deal with the pandemic. The officials cited a lack of protective equipment for medics as well as a lack of awareness among some medical staff of the precautions needed to avoid infection. ] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/reuters/exclusive--large-number-of-covid-19-cases-among-afghan-medics-spark-alarm-in-kabul/45744792

[Gunmen with thermometers The Taliban are joining Afghanistan’s fight against covid-19 But they refuse to do the most helpful thing, and stop fighting] https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/05/09/the-taliban-are-joining-afghanistans-fight-against-covid-19

Whilst the border with Afganistan has been reopened, "there are currently no commercial options for international travellers leaving Kabul." https://af.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

[MoPH Warns of Catastrophe if Lockdown Disregarded According to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 is nearing 5,000 cases, and spokespeople warn that there will be a catastrophic "human tragedy" if the people do not act on the suggested health guidelines. Some residents meanwhile said that poverty and economic hardships force them to come out and work. “His Excellency, the governor of Kabul, has a good life. He has good things to eat and drink. The president is not providing us a phone number, where we can lodge our complaints,” said Rahila Karimi, a resident in Kabul. “People are grappling with poverty and other miseries, how long can they spend in lockdown?" asked Ramin, a resident in Kabul. Kabul governor Mohammad Yaqoub, referring to the traffic in Kabul, on Tuesday urged people to abide by the health guidelines.] https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/health-ministry-warns-catastrophe-if-lockdown-violated

[ Doctors Warn Against Easing Kabul Lockdown As the COVID-19 infection is presumably about to reach its peak in the country, doctors warn that easing the lockdown in Kabul could lead the country to a health crisis that could not be handled with the current facilities. The lockdown has been relaxed unofficially in Kabul despite the city having the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The number of cases surpassed 7,000 on Monday, said the Health Ministry. TOLOnews reporter Nabilla Ashrafi on Sunday visited different parts of Kabul, from downtown Shahr-e-Naw area to Khairkhana in the north and Kart-e-Char area in the west of Kabul. Everything looked normal as the past, pre-lockdown, she said. Doctors said that social distancing, using a face mask and hand-washing many times a day should become part of people’s culture given the fact that the COVID-19 threat will not vanish in the near future.] https://tolonews.com/health/doctors-warn-against-easing-kabul-lockdown

[How can fragile countries, like Afghanistan, respond to COVID-19? As countries rich and poor struggle with challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Afghanistan is taking proactive steps to overcome its own. The broader response of the Afghan MoPH has been to make use of the existing immunisation infrastructure. As a health intervention that reaches 82% of the Afghan population and acts as a bridge to further primary health care, immunisation service delivery forms an integral part of the emergency response plan. The response plan identified four key aspects of immunisation service delivery that are already being used to help tackle the virus: Religious leaders – for disseminating messaging around vaccination and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Community Based Outreach Vaccinators – to raise awareness about the disease and reinforce prevention measures in hard-to-reach areas. Volunteers – a network of around 60,000 people trained in vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, who will also orchestrate COVID-19 surveillance, contact tracing, diagnostics and quarantine duties. National health team – mobilised to develop and carry out the Emergency Response Plan.] https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-can-fragile-countries-afghanistan-respond-covid-19

[Kabul Lockdown Eases Amid Warnings on Crisis The Afghan cabinet approved a plan to gradually ease the Kabul lockdown--allowing businesses to open for certain hours, based on health advice--but Pres. Ghani calls for all to stay in their homes during Eid, says the Presidential Palace. Despite the limited testing capacity, the Public Health Ministry has reported an average of 500 new confirmed cases each day over the past week. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan is nearing 9,000. Health officials continue to warn people against indifference to the lockdown rules, but less and less attention is being paid to health advice, such as to use a mask, gloves and maintain social distancing. Kabul governor Mohammad Yaqub Haidari said that poverty among families, as well as the arrival of Eid, has caused crowds to increase in the city. “The situation is not normal. It is an emergency. The virus is spreading. We will ease the lockdown as the situation improves,” the governor said. “It is not poverty only that pushes people to go out of the house; some are going out to buy dry fruit while they can live without it,” the deputy minister of public health, Wahid Majroh, told a press conference on Thursday.] https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/kabul-lockdown-eases-amid-warnings-crisis

"UNICEF Afghanistan Representative, Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, told Pajhwok Afghan News in an exclusive interview that this is a global pandemic impacting several countries, and currently, some 450 million children are out of school across the South Asia region. Dr. Aboubacar Kampo said Covid-19 times in Afghanistan worsens the situation for children. Continued conflict and insecurity over the past four decades have impacted on development, resulting to lost livelihoods and increased poverty, especially amongst vulnerable families, with children being the most affected. He further added there were over 600,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan while over three million children were out of school across the country, even before Covid. Kampo added that UNICEF was supporting the Ministry of Education on alternative solutions to learning during the school closure and supporting the government to make sure handwashing facilities existed in schools when they do reopen. UNICEF Afghanistan Representative said the provision of sanitation and hygiene facilities would be supported for children both in schools and community-based education centres. He said it was not known when schools would reopen formally due to the evolving situation. “If it comes in winter season, then we need to get prepared the schools and the kids as well.” On the other hand, the Ministry of Education (MoE) says they have been working on alternative options for the education system in the country. Nooria Nehzat, spokeswoman for the MoE, told Pajhwok they conducted short term courses in the open sky where social distancing was also observed nation-wide. She said the MoE had signed a contract of 3,000 textbooks, videos materials with the education system of Turkey to keep alive the teaching process for primary students in the country. Meanwhile, Dr. Mirwais Balkhi, the minister of education, says they have been working on a comprehensive education plan which would be implemented in Kabul and in the rest of provinces in near future." https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/05/06/covid-19-pandemic-shouldn%E2%80%99t-hamper-education-afghanistan-unicef

[In Afghanistan, Health Workers Fight Misinformation to Curb COVID-19 Story Highlights: In Afghanistan, a government livelihood support program for impoverished communities has been scaled up to fight misinformation and help curb the spread of COVID-19. Working with community elders, health workers disseminate public health messages and vital medical information to communities. Health and social sector teams have also encouraged villagers to use latex gloves or disposable masks only once.] https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/05/28/in-afghanistan-health-workers-fight-misinformation-to-curb-covid-19?cid=ECR_FB_worldbank_EN_EXT

[Entry and Exit Requirements: Are there any new restrictions in place as a result of the worldwide outbreak? All foreign airlines (Emirates, Fly Dubai, Turkish Airlines, Air India) and Kam Air have announced the suspension of services from Kabul. There are currently no commercial options for international travelers leaving Kabul. The Government of Afghanistan has re-opened its border with Iran, which had been closed briefly to all air and ground travel.] https://af.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

[Afghanistan warns of ‘disaster’ as coronavirus infections surge “There is a disaster coming,” said Kabul governor Mohammad Yakub Haidary at a joint press conference with the health minister. He said in Kabul alone there could be a million people infected with the deadly virus. So far there have been 327 confirmed deaths in the country. “We have reports of increasing suspected deaths, people burying dead bodies at night,” Haidary said. “We fill 10-15 ambulances of dead people every day.” But the minister said that from Sunday the authorities will strictly impose measures like wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing for the next three months in order to curb the spread of the virus. Experts say that Afghanistan is able to test only about 20 percent of its daily suspected coronavirus cases. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said in a statement Tuesday that “between 80 to 90 percent of potential cases are not being tested,” citing figures provided to them by the health ministry which said between 10,000 and 20,000 samples were being received per day.] https://www.arabnews.com/node/1685751/world

[COVID-19: Despite 3-Month Extension of School Leave Remote Learning Continues Following the decision of the Emergency Committee to extend school closures for the next three months, the Afghan Ministry of Education (MoE) announced that remote education programmes will continue. The MoE in its statement said that the Committee’s decision to prevent the spread of the virus within schools, private institutes and public teacher training centres has been noted. The decision to start face-to-face training in schools would depend on the number of Coronavirus cases and whether they were declining within the community, they said. Remote learning will continue for the time being. Start Alternative options for educational services The MoE said that alternatives to formal education services, limited gatherings with health and preventive measures and online courses, would be formally launched soon.] http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/sunday-june-7-2020/covid-19-despite-3-month-extension-of-school-leave-remote-learning-continues/

Discuss with Bea and James Fox.

[Alarmingly, more than a third of the confirmed COVID19 cases have been among doctors and healthcare staff. The total number of COVID-19 testing labs is 11, with five in Kabul (National Public Health Lab, National Veterinary Lab, Afghan-Japan Hospital, Military Hospital and FMIC), and one each in Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Balkh, Paktya, and Kunduz. More recently, a new 100-bed COVID-19 hospital has opened in Heart, funded by the government under direct orders of President Ashraf Ghani. In addition, the Darulaman Palace (300 beds) and Kabul and PolyTechnic universities’ dormitories have been converted into isolation facilities in Kabul city4. However, Afghanistan has struggled to maintain testing capacity, both due to lack of personnel and medical equipment 6. Despite vowing to increase capacity to 5’000 tests a day, the current number of test conducted daily is 1’000 6. Subsequently, on the 13th June, the Ministry of Public Health announced that private clinics and hospitals would conduct testing of COVID19 samples to increase capacity. With the surge in cases and testing capacity estimated to be at around only 20%, it has been speculated that authorities will impose stricter measures, such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing for the next three months.] http://www.actfordev.org/update-on-covid19-afghanistan/

[COVID-19: Despite 3-Month Extension of School Leave Remote Learning Continues Following the decision of the Emergency Committee to extend school closures for the next three months, the Afghan Ministry of Education (MoE) announced that remote education programmes will continue. The MoE in its statement said that the Committee’s decision to prevent the spread of the virus within schools, private institutes and public teacher training centres has been noted. The decision to start face-to-face training in schools would depend on the number of Coronavirus cases and whether they were declining within the community, they said. Remote learning will continue for the time being. Start Alternative options for educational services The MoE said that alternatives to formal education services, limited gatherings with health and preventive measures and online courses, would be formally launched soon.] http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/sunday-june-7-2020/covid-19-despite-3-month-extension-of-school-leave-remote-learning-continues/

By end-June, the authorities announced the resumption of domestic and international flights and exports to Europe via the air corridors. http://archive.fo/NhcMG

MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL The authorities increased the frequency of Financial Stability Committee meetings, enhanced the monitoring of early signs of liquidity stress, and reviewed banks’ business continuity plans. Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) has suspended administrative penalties and fees, postponed the IFRS-9 implementation to June 2021, and froze loan classifications at the pre-pandemic cutoff of end-February. EXCHANGE RATE AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DAB remains focused on price stability and is committed to exchange rate flexibility, limiting its foreign interventions to preventing excessive volatility. With domestic demand subdued, there have been no exchange rate pressures, and the Afghani has remained broadly stable to the US$. DAB has engaged money-service providers, who play a systemic role in financial intermediation, including in foreign currency, to ensure uninterrupted services. http://archive.fo/NhcMG

The total number of COVID-19 testing labs is 11, with five in Kabul (National Public Health Lab, National Veterinary Lab, Afghan-Japan Hospital, Military Hospital and FMIC), and one each in Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Balkh, Paktya, and Kunduz. More recently, a new 100-bed COVID-19 hospital has opened in Heart, funded by the government under direct orders of President Ashraf Ghani. In addition, the Darulaman Palace (300 beds) and Kabul and PolyTechnic universities’ dormitories have been converted into isolation facilities in Kabul city4. However, Afghanistan has struggled to maintain testing capacity, both due to lack of personnel and medical equipment 6. Despite vowing to increase capacity to 5’000 tests a day, the current number of test conducted daily is 1’000 6. Subsequently, on the 13th June, the Ministry of Public Health announced that private clinics and hospitals would conduct testing of COVID19 samples to increase capacity. With the surge in cases and testing capacity estimated to be at around only 20%, it has been speculated that authorities will impose stricter measures, such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing for the next three months.] http://www.actfordev.org/update-on-covid19-afghanistan/

Coronavirus testing in Afghanistan is highly centralised, meaning suspected samples from hard-to-reach, rural areas have to be sent to one of 11 laboratories concentrated in major cities like Kabul and Herat – sometimes at least a day’s travel away. “In rural parts of the country, people often take strenuous journeys to get to testing facilities,” said Dr. Qadir Qadir, the health ministry’s director of policy and planning. Some coronavirus labs have struggled to stay open – and to keep their staff safe. Four of five technicians at one facility tested positive for COVID-19 in May, while two labs were temporarily knocked out of service due to contamination, according to the UN. http://archive.fo/CbBAQ

Public and private schools and universities are set to gradually reopen only after August 5. See: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 (the web archive is not working)

Since the end of the June, the authorities had announced the resumption of domestic and international flights. See: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 (the web archive is not working)

Still no income support. See: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 (the web archive is not working)

"Most hotels and restaurants are open and have been instructed to follow COVID-19 guidelines, including asking customers to wear masks." "Sports and music events, along with bars, cinemas, museums and gyms are all closed. Restaurants and some shops have opened." http://archive.fo/p5aHX

Universities fully reopened on August 5, and schools are set to gradually reopen beginning August 15, and fully by August 22. http://archive.fo/wip/mCG8q

Universities fully reopened on August 5, and schools are set to gradually reopen beginning August 15, and fully by August 22. http://archive.fo/wip/mCG8q

Press release on 15 August in Pashto from the Ministry of Public Health regarding the Ashura ceremony indicates that authorities are promoting social distancing precautions, along with "the provision of masks, spraying of antimicrobials in mosques", etc., while not cancelling the event. As a major religious event, it is likely the government is no longer cancelling events, but recommending precautions, therefore coding a 1G http://archive.fo/wip/aSspx

"Most hotels and restaurants are open and have been instructed to follow COVID-19 guidelines, including asking customers to wear masks." "Sports and music events, along with bars, cinemas, museums and gyms are all closed. Restaurants and some shops have opened." http://archive.fo/p5aHX The government began partial easing of the lockdown in May but retained some restrictions on movements and mass gatherings. "The government announced new working hours for government and non-government organizations, in two shifts following even and odd days of the week, from 7 am till 1 pm. On July 12, working hours of government organizations were extended, set from 8 am to 4 pm, with employees working in two shifts, on even and odd days". See IMF report, archived: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Press release on 15 August in Pashto from the Ministry of Public Health regarding the Ashura ceremony indicates that authorities are promoting social distancing precautions, along with "the provision of masks, spraying of antimicrobials in mosques", etc., while not cancelling the event. As a major religious event, it is likely the government is no longer cancelling events, but recommending precautions, therefore coding a 1G http://archive.fo/wip/aSspx

According to the IMF report, there are currently no restrictions on gatherings. See report, archived: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Although Afghanistan's government has announced reopening of schools, but there is currently no executive order on reopening of other areas, such as, transport. http://archive.fo/wip/mCG8q Additionally, "Pakistan says it will reopen a key border crossing with Afghanistan to allow trade between the neighbors. Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in northwestern North Waziristan district from Monday. Pakistan has already reopened its border with Iran". See News Article, archived: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-06-21/Pakistan-to-reopen-border-with-Afghanistan-Rvjx0UWtFK/index.html

"In the early days of the C-19 outbreak, provincial lockdown measures periodically impeded humanitarian movement, with March and April logging a high number of humanitarian organizations experiencing movement restrictions mainly in Kabul, Hirat, Jalalabad, Kunar and Kandahar provinces. Following engagement of OCHA with provincial authorities and an overall relaxation of lockdown measures, the situation improved with humanitarian movement no longer impeded by C-19 related lockdown measures". https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/afghanistan_covid-19_access_impediment_report_01_jul_-_25_aug_2020.pdf

"On 21 August, the Spin Boldak border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was fully reopened after having been closed for pedestrian movement since 06. This closure also affected commercial traffic, with traders whose business depends on open borders protesting in Chaman and Spin Boldak, thereby blocking traffic. In response, some traders diverted their supply routes and used informal borders in Hilmand, which was problematic due to IEDs emplaced along these unpaved roads. The situation escalated on 30 July, when an armed clash erupted between members of Afghan and Pakistani armed forces, killing at least 15 people and wounding another 70". See OCHA report, archived: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/afghanistan_covid-19_access_impediment_report_01_jul_-_25_aug_2020.pdf

"International flights resumed in June but continue to be unreliable, with many last minute cancellations. Both Turkish and Emirates airlines requiring for passengers to have a negative C-19 test. Local flights also resumed in mid-July. The UNHAS airbridge connecting Kabul and Doha continues to operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, only accommodating transiting passengers. UNHAS has been closely monitoring demand on the Doha Airbridge and noted a significant reduction in passenger loads with the resumption of commercial flights. However, given the lack of clarity on continuity and predictability of services from commercial airlines, UNHAS remains committed to support the Doha Airbridge until 30 September 2020 as per the initial plan". See OCHA report, archived: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/afghanistan_covid-19_access_impediment_report_01_jul_-_25_aug_2020.pdf

"Afghanistan has redeployed two leading development programs to promote health recommendations to fight COVID-19 in thousands of rural and urban communities. Awareness campaigns have helped dispel misinformation about the coronavirus while promoting precautionary measures like frequent hand washing and wearing masks. In several Afghan provinces, women who attended awareness sessions have turned to producing masks for their communities to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks". See World Bank report, archived: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/06/28/awareness-campaigns-help-prevent-against-covid-19-in-afghanistan

There is currently no policy on "who can get tested". A testing lab was established by FMIC: The testing laboratory is a sampling facility, meaning that samples will be received by MoPH, will be tested at FMIC and the results will be shared back with MoPH after processing. The laboratory will help process over 100 tests per day – during a period when Covid-19 positive cases are on the rise in Afghanistan. The testing lab was established away from the main facilities of the hospital so normal operations at the hospital could continue without Covid-19 restrictions. See News Article, archived: https://www.akdn.org/project/laboratory-services-accelerate-covid-19-testing-afghanistan

" Contact tracing for the people confirmed with COVID-19 is ongoing. To date, testing has been small scale which may account for the relatively low number of confirmed cases given the high number of people crossing the border from Iran. Reduced community testing and slow turn-around of test results remain critical concerns. As of 29 March, MOPH reported that 1,150 people have been tested since the outbreak began". See Relief Web article, archived: https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-flash-update-daily-brief-covid-19-no-22-30-march-2020