With our correspondent in Ouagadougou, Yaya Boudani

In the absence of a vaccine and validated treatment, the only antidote against coronavirus remains individual and collective prevention, explained President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré to justify these measures restricting freedoms.

"The establishment of a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. across the entire territory, effective March 21, 2020, with the exception of personnel on call. The immediate suspension of biometric enrollment operations. The immediate suspension of special operations for issuing Burkinabè national identity cards. The prohibition of any gathering of more than 50 people."

On the transport front, all the country's borders will remain closed to travelers for two weeks, he decided. "The closure of the airports in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso to commercial flights for a period of two weeks renewable, effective March 21, 2020 at midnight. Except for domestic flights, military flights, and freight. The closure of land and rail borders for a period of two weeks renewable, effective March 21, 2020 at midnight. With the exception of freight."

In light of the reception capacity of health centers and the mode of transmission of the virus, the president of Burkina Faso urged populations to do everything possible to interrupt community transmission of coronavirus in Burkina Faso.

Already last week, the government had decided on the closure of schools and universities, the prohibition of any gathering, the suspension of any major national and international meeting. The country officially has 40 confirmed cases including one death. At least three ministers have been diagnosed as "positive".