South Sudanese musicians release coronavirus song

The artists featured on the song are YMO, Tvavy, Bobi, Tony, Emma Love, J Yang, and Dantana.

South Sudan announced its first case of COVID-19 on 5 April. According to Vice President Riek Machar, the patient is a UN worker who arrived in the country from the Netherlands on 28 February.

Machar told local media that the patient was recuperating under quarantine at a UN premises and health workers were tracing the people whom she had been in contact with.

On 25 March, President Salva Kiir issued a ban on social gatherings, cancelled international flights and closed all border crossings. He also introduced a 30-day curfew from 8pm to 6am and shut down schools.

"Despite there being no South Sudanese infected, it was important to share the message with the local community," he said. "We used Arabic, English and Nuer so that the message can reach even those in the villages. We cannot rule out the possibility of cases in South Sudan because most of our neighbouring countries are already affected."

Music promoter William Amoko says the newly issued ban on public gatherings was impacting the capital's entertainment scene.

“I would say Juba is a vibrant city in its own right," Amoko said. "At least three concerts are happening every week. Musicians are also booked almost every weekend to perform at weddings, birthdays and office parties.

"With the ban on public gatherings, many sources of revenue for artists have been blocked. However, we all support and welcome the government's efforts in preventing the virus. The virus is now closer to home. This means that everyone needs to have basic information on how to avoid the spread of this virus."

There are now only three African countries that are yet to report COVID-19 cases. They are Lesotho, the Comoros and São Tomé and Príncipe.