Tunisia has imposed a 15-day curfew in four states to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, reported Reuters. The curfew will be implemented in Tunis, Ben Arous, Ariana, and Manouba.
In a statement broadcast on state TV, the governors of four provinces that make up greater Tunis said there would be a curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and a suspension of Friday prayers in mosques. The restriction will be applied from Thursday. The curfew would start at 7 p.m. on weekends.
Tunisia had shut down its economy completely in March and closed its borders, limiting the spread of coronavirus to only a few hundred cases. But the number of coronavirus cases increased more than 20,000 over the last month, with only 200 intensive care beds designated for COVID-19 available in the country.
The North African country has received several batches of medical aid equipments, protective gear from the Chinese government, Chinese foundations and companies since late March to help its fight against the pandemic.
Former Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh has announced he has tested positive, as has the leader of a major party, Abir Moussi. Fakhfakh stepped down as Tunisia’s prime minister last month after denying allegations of a business conflict of interest.
The new government led by new Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi is also seen as fragile and has rejected another lockdown. Earlier this week, Mechichi dismissed Culture Minister, Walid Al-Zaidi, due to his refusal to implement the instructions for measures to confront coronavirus.
Tunisia had recorded a total of 24,542 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, including 364 deaths.
COVID-19 has claimed more than 1.05 million lives in 188 countries and regions since first being detected in China’s Wuhan in December last year.
The US, India, and Brazil are currently among the worst-hit coronavirus countries. According to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University, over 35.9 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries surpassing 25 million.
