COVID-19 Forces Biya To Cancel Labour, National Day Festivities

Labour Day and National Day celebrations have been cancelled in Cameroon by the President, Paul Biya.

The President cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to respect social distancing as the reason for the decision.

The information is contained in a press release issued on Wednesday, April 22, and signed by the Minister of State, Secretary-General at the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.

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What The Rumour Mill Is Alleging  

Prior to the decision of the President to suspend the festivities, many, who had believed the wild rumours and tales that President Biya had died, said the latter will either be absent or suspend the National Day celebrations.

Even after Biya appeared on national television alongside the French Ambassador to Cameroon at the Presidency, some staunch promoters and believers of the death claims still insisted that the scene was created from old video footage at the Presidency.

The April 22 communiqué from the presidency might again be used to deepen and spread further rumours about the President’s wellbeing.

Though the rumours have had their place in daily discussions amongst Cameroonians, it is common knowledge that States and Nations around the globe are suspending all public activities that attract crowds, as a deterrent measure towards reducing and controlling the spread of the Coronavirus.

So far, the Government of Cameroon has announced that public activities like schools, will resume on June 1. The given date is tentative due to the existing COVID-19 cases in Cameroon.

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