Taking to Twitter Monday, May 25, 2020 the country’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie called on citizens to, more than ever before, protect themselves as the central African nation enters a complicated phase of the pandemic.

Hear him: “It is important to note that we are entering a complicated phase of the pandemic. Therefore, more than ever, we must protect ourselves, protect our families and protect others by observing barrier measures. Wear a mask when going out and wash your hands regularly.”

John Hopkins University puts the number of COVID-19 cases in Cameroon at 4,890 with 165 deaths. With fears that the numbers may peak further, authorities say the state is mobilized to contain the situation.

“Our determination to defeat COVID-19 in our country, together with you, is greater than ever and the healthcare personnel are just as motivated to win this battle,” Manaouda says. “But the condition is that each of us must observe and observe the barrier measures.”

As the country is entering a complicated phase of the pandemic, it is ramping up plans to have schools resume on June 1, at least for examination classes and universities.

Prime Minister Head of Government Joseph Dion Ngute at a cabinet meeting held through videoconferencing on May 14 issued technical guidelines for schools nationwide to reopen in an orderly manner, depending on the situation of the coronavirus pandemic.

On the occasion, he said President Paul Biya had approved the resumption only for examination classes in primary and secondary schools with learners properly distributed across classrooms to allow for the strict respect of social distancing rules – not more than 50 learners will be admitted per class.

Sanitary kits with hand sanitizers, thermo-flashes, and hand-washing basins will be available at the entrance of the schools, according to the guidelines. It will be imperative for pupils, students and teachers to wear protective face masks, Ngute said, stressing “prevention is and remains the main weapon available to each and every one of us.”

On May 20, 2020, Roger Koffo Fokou, Spokesman of the country’s teacher trade unions said certificate exams should be set based on what was covered before schools were closed in March.

The teachers say should government push through with school resumption plans; it should ensure that protective masks and hydro-alcoholic solutions are made freely available to all students and teachers. They went on to demand that school campuses be systematically disinfected, not more than 24 learners allowed per class, disbursement of a special bonus for teachers as well as the beefing up of examination centers so they can attend to health emergencies.

As we went to press, government was yet to react to the two-page memo addressed to the Prime Minister, Head of Government. It had however not backed out of its plan to have schools resume on June 1, despite fears COVID-19 is far from being contained.

On March 17, Cameroon rolled out measures to stifle the spread of the novel coronavirus, with schools closed and the country’s territorial borders shut a day later.