The National Emergency Command Centre (NECC) informed the public that pursuant to section 23 (1) and (7) of the Constitution of Lesotho, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Motsoahe Thomas Thanane acting in accordance of the advice of the Council of State, has declared a state of emergency in Lesotho, in respect of COVID-19 pandemic which threatens the lives of people in Lesotho.

The state of emergency started on the 15th April 2020, and will end on the 28th April 2020.

The NECC said this decision was taken at a sitting of the Council of State on Tuesday the 14th April 2020, and during this time the national lockdown will continue until the 21st April 2020.

In a statement the NECC said the extension of the lockdown will be decided by the government, after assessing the general situation surrounding the pandemic.