The Libyan government on Tuesday announced it has decided to reopen its border crossing and resume flights with Tunisia, reported CGTN Africa.
According to government sources, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah has issued instructions to the interior minister and transportation minister on the resumption of movement between the two countries while stressing the need to take protective measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Libya had closed its border with Tunisia in July amid rising COVID-19 infections due to the highly contagious Delta variant.
According to the National Center for Disease Control, the country’s total caseload currently stands at 286,894, including 208,551 recoveries and 3,956 deaths. The total caseload currently stands at 286,894, including 3,956 deaths and 208,551 recoveries.
The Libyan government recently launched a COVID-19 vaccination campaign, where people above the age of 18, whether Libyans or foreigners, can go to temporary vaccination centers for inoculation. The campaign aims to vaccinate 1 million people. More than 500,000 people have been vaccinated nationwide so far.
On Tuesday, the Libyan health ministry said it has received 240,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine from Greece and Malta.
The ministry said 200,000 doses were received from Greece and around 40,000 doses were received from Malta. It added that the vaccines will be used as second doses for those who have received the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
In related news, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa crossed 7,314,632 as of Tuesday afternoon. The African Union healthcare agency said the death toll from the pandemic stands at 184,565.
Last month, the Libyan Government had imposed a curfew due to increasing COVID-19 infections. Some other protective measures that the Libyan Government adopted include banning public gatherings, public transportation, and closing restaurants and coffee shops.
