Due to an increase in coronavirus cases, Tunisia has decided to tighten its restrictions.
From Sunday April 18, primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, were closed.
The decision was taken during a meeting on Saturday at the seat of government, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Nissaf Ben Alia, describing the health situation in the country as "very dangerous".
The school closures concern "elementary, secondary and university education" and will apply from April 18 to 30, government spokeswoman Hasna Ben Slimane said at a press conference.
She clarified that universities will provide online courses to students during this time.
The authorities have also decided to ban cars and public transport from driving between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. "except in an emergency", added Ms. Ben Slimane.
The intensive care beds being 80% occupied
The decisions come as Tunisia has seen a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the month, rising to several dozen new deaths each day (and more than a thousand new cases daily).
In total, the country of 12 million inhabitants has officially recorded some 280,000 cases of coronavirus, including 9,637 deaths.
Hospital officials recently warned of the saturation of certain services, the resuscitation beds being 80% occupied, according to the authorities.
On April 10, the head of government Hichem Mechichi announced a relaxation of the curfew at the request of the President of the Republic Kais Saied, a few days after having toughened it in the face of the spread of the epidemic.
The curfew then extended from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Since the launch of the vaccination campaign in mid-March, 203,000 people have been vaccinated in the country.
With AFP
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