Senegal lifts coronavirus state of emergency

Senegalese President Macky Sall has said a state of emergency and nighttime curfew imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus will be lifted from Tuesday.

In a televised address, the president also announced the resumption of international flights from 15 July but under stringent safety measures.

Mr Sall warned that the country's economic growth would slow from 6.8% to 1.1%, or even less, due to the impact of the pandemic.

He urged people to resume their normal activities to get the economy back on track. Civil servants will now work from 08:00 to 17:00 local time, but entertainment spots will remain closed.

The closure of public markets one day per week for cleaning will continue. Wearing face masks remains mandatory in public spaces, workplaces, public transport and shops.

The president is himself under a two-week quarantine after he came into contact with an infected person. The quarantine ends next week.

The country has so far confirmed 6698 cases and 108 deaths.