Lockdown In Angola: What You Need To Know

Angola, a country in Southern Africa, has been subjected to various lockdown restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In March 2020, the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, initially declared a state of emergency, banning public gatherings and restricting movement. As the pandemic progressed, Angola experienced subsequent waves of infections, leading to the reinstatement of lockdown measures. During these periods, the country implemented movement restrictions, curfews, and fines for non-compliance with COVID-19 protocols. International travel was also impacted, with flight suspensions and mandatory quarantine protocols in place. While the lockdown measures aimed to curb the spread of the virus, they also had economic and social implications for the country.

Angola's lockdown rules

Angola has had a number of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a summary of the rules during these periods:

March 2020

During the first state of emergency, the president of Angola, Joao Lourenco, banned public gatherings and restricted movement. Under this lockdown, people could only leave their homes to buy medicine, food, water, and cooking gas, and markets were allowed to operate on a specific schedule.

Late March 2020

During a partial lockdown, people were allowed to leave their homes to buy medicine, food, water, and cooking gas. Markets were allowed to operate on a specific schedule.

May 2021

In response to a second wave of COVID-19 infections, the government imposed movement restrictions and increased fines for people who did not follow the rules. Government offices were restricted to 50% capacity, while the private sector was allowed to operate at 75% capacity. Home gatherings were restricted to 15 people, and a 10 pm to 5 am curfew was introduced.

International travel restrictions

As of December 2021, Angola had the following international travel restrictions in place:

• Flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe were suspended.
• Passengers were not allowed to enter, except for: Angolan and resident foreign nationals; passengers with a work permit, Angolan visa, or Angolan-issued temporary stay visa; and those returning to their country of residence via Angola.
• All passengers were required to present a negative PCR test from within 72 hours prior to arrival, in English or Portuguese.
• Passengers were subject to a COVID-19 rapid test upon arrival.
• Passengers were subject to a 7-day quarantine, unless they could present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• Residence permits, refugee cards, and temporary stay visas that expired after 28 February 2020 were considered valid.

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The curfew

In response to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Angola introduced a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am. The curfew was accompanied by other measures, including restricting the number of people allowed at home gatherings to 15. The government also increased fines for people flouting measures, with fines ranging from 20,000 kwanza (around $430) for unmasked people to 450,000 kwanza (around $9,800) for hosting parties.

Public health measures

In March 2020, the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, declared a state of emergency, banning public gatherings and restricting movement to limit the spread of COVID-19. Under the lockdown, people could only leave their homes to buy medicine, food, water, and cooking gas, and markets operated according to a set schedule. However, many Angolans, especially street traders, broke the lockdown rules to try to earn an income.

In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the government reinstated a partial lockdown in April 2021, imposing movement restrictions and increasing fines for those who did not comply with the measures. Government offices were restricted to 50% of staff, while the private sector was allowed 75%. Home gatherings were limited to 15 people, and a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am was introduced. Fines ranged from 20,000 kwanza (around $430) for unmasked individuals to 450,000 kwanza (around $9,800) for hosting parties.

During the pandemic, Angolan authorities struggled to contain abuses by state security forces, who were implicated in killings and the excessive use of force against unarmed people who allegedly violated COVID-19 restrictions. In May 2020, after the end of a three-month state of emergency, the government introduced a state of calamity, allowing them to maintain some of the lockdown measures, including restrictions on movement and gatherings.

In April 2020, Angolan authorities released almost 1,900 people in pretrial detention to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. However, the police continued to detain and place hundreds of people in custody for low-level crimes, despite calls from human rights groups to avoid detaining people for nonviolent or minor offenses.

The impact on businesses

Angola's businesses have been impacted by the country's COVID-19 lockdown measures, which have been reinstated at various points throughout the pandemic. During the lockdown, non-essential businesses were required to close, and only essential workers were permitted to leave their homes for work. These measures significantly disrupted business operations, particularly for small businesses and those in the informal sector.

The restrictions on movement and gatherings also impacted businesses' ability to connect with customers and conduct sales. Many businesses had to adapt to online platforms and delivery services to continue serving their customers. However, this transition was challenging for businesses with limited digital capabilities and those that relied on in-person interactions, such as restaurants and bars, which were only open with restrictions.

The lockdown measures also disrupted supply chains and access to raw materials, particularly for businesses that relied on imports or had cross-border operations. The reduced economic activity during the lockdown led to decreased demand and revenue for many businesses, impacting their financial stability and ability to retain employees.

To support businesses during the lockdown, the Angolan government implemented several measures. These included providing financial relief packages, offering tax breaks, and facilitating access to credit. The government also worked with businesses to ensure compliance with health and safety protocols, helping them maintain operations while protecting employees and customers.

Overall, the COVID-19 lockdown had a significant impact on businesses in Angola, disrupting operations, limiting sales, and causing financial strain. The recovery process for businesses has been gradual, and some sectors continue to face challenges as the country navigates the pandemic's economic fallout.

Frequently asked questions