Tunisia on Thursday tightened precautionary measures to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the country, reported CGTN Africa. The decision was taken after a meeting between Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and members of Tunisia’s committee.
The government announced in a statement that it has decided to ban travel between the country’s regions, suspend schools and public gatherings and extend an already imposed curfew.
As per the statement, the measures would be implemented until Nov. 15. There will be a nighttime curfew in all provinces from Monday to Friday between 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. local time. The curfew will continue Saturdays and Sundays from 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The movement between provinces will be prohibited, except for work, students and exceptional cases that can be justified. The government has suspended education in primary, middle schools and institutes until Nov. 8 and classes in universities for two weeks.
Furthermore, public and private demonstrations, access to places of worship and gatherings of more than four people in public will be prohibited, with the exception of transportation. The government has confirmed that prayers in mosques will be suspended until November 15.
“Closed spaces can host 30 percent of their capacity and open spaces, cafes as well as restaurants can be open at 50 percent,” the statement added. “These spaces will be forced to close from 4 p.m.”
Tunisia is currently registering more than 1,000 new infections per pay.
Tunisian Ministry of Health on Wednesday said that 5,968 tests were conducted during October 25-26, which revealed the infection of 2,125 more people with COVID-19, raising the total tally to 54,278 in the North African country. According to the ministry, the death toll from the virus rose by 52 to 1,153.
Health Ministry spokeswoman Nassaf ben Alaya said that the situation had become “very dangerous”.
