When and how football federations suspend and reopen league play is an under-appreciated metric for scoring a govt’s response to Covid-19. Some countries waited longer to suspend football activities while others restarted the season despite ongoing shutdowns in the region. 
Burundi’s bungled Covid-19 response, including the death of President Nkurunziza, is reflected by a meager 38-day suspension of football activities. Burundi was the last country to suspend & the first to restart football. Learn about Burundi's response: tunein.com/podcasts/Educa…
In Senegal, daily Covid-19 cases are on the decline following a robust response with quick testing turnarounds, widespread mask distribution, and innovative virtual programs. The country was among the first in the region to suspend football activities: usatoday.com/story/news/wor…
In Guinea, football games continued for 30 days after the continental index case. Along with limited testing, President Alpha Condé has utilized Covid-19 to consolidate power by holding a constitutional referendum & regulating internet access. Learn more: bit.ly/COVIDpolls
President John Magufuli declared Tanzania coronavirus-free after he stopped reporting testing numbers in April. While the country suspended football relatively early, it resumed in mid-June as just the second state to restart. Learn more: bit.ly/TanzaniaCovid19
As football restarts across the continent, officials must take appropriate precautions to limit the spread of Covid-19. Check out the rest of the Africa Program’s coronavirus coverage: bit.ly/CovCoverage
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