A health official in the defunct Yei River State ministry of health has urged heads of school and church institutions to adhere to strict COVID-19 preventive guidelines as they resume operations.

The National Ministry of General Education has announced the phased reopening of schools across the country with candidates reporting to class on 5th October 2020. Churches and mosques opened their doors to worshippers since last month.

 Dr James Wani, the Director-General of Health in Yei town, told Radio Tamazuj that despite reduced cases of COVID-19 prevalence in the area, there is need for extra care and prevention by the population as people and students socialize in public institutions.

 “Yes, we got information that schools are going to re-open and churches have already opened. So, our message to the schools and churches is that COVID-19 preventive measures need to be taken seriously, more especially washing hands with soap and clean water. Social distance needs to be followed, no shaking of hands and ensure wearing face masks every day because COVID-19 is real,” Dr Wani said.

 According to Dr Wani, so far, there are no active cases of COVID-19 in Yei, “but as usual we are doing surveillance and creating awareness in Morobo County and Yei.”

As of October 4, South Sudan had a total of 2,730 cases of COVID-19.