DAKAR, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese President Macky Sall announced on Monday to ease some of the COVID-19 restrictions during the state of emergency across the country while preparing for the virus to circulate in the country "until August, or even September."

In his speech to the Nation, President Sall said the curfew hours will, starting from May 12, be shortened to 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., instead of the current 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., while the office hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All the markets and other businesses are allowed to resume their normal opening hours, except one day per week they will have to be closed for disinfection and sanitizing.

Sall also decided to re-open places of worship. He said his minister of the interior, together with health minister will initiate the necessary discussions with spiritual leaders and religious associations to agree on terms and conditions.

Regarding schools, Sall reaffirmed the resumption of classes on June 2 for graduating classes which involved about 551,000 students across Senegal.

"The school year and the exam schedules will be adapted accordingly. Students in other classes will continue to take lessons from home through television, radio and digital platforms," he said.

For universities, the students will continue with distance learning.

The Senegalese president said people now "must learn to live in the presence of the virus by adapting our individual and collective behaviors."

After consulting a board of experts, he urged his government to adapt its anti-coronavirus strategy, so that people "can carry out essential activities and support the economy while preserving the health of people and the society."

Sall stressed that "it's not time for relaxation, but for adaptation," insisting on social distancing and other measures, in particularly the mandatory wearing of masks and hand-washing in public places.

Reaffirming that COVID-19 is not "a shameful disease," the Senegalese president launched "a solemn appeal to end the stigmatization of the patients."

So far, Senegal has reported 1,886 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 19 deaths and 715 recovered cases. Enditem

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