Coronavirus has brought the Tunisian health system to its knees triggering the government to order a partial lockdown for seven days of the Eid AL Fitr in an attempt to contain contagion.
Tunisia has been beset by street protests against coronavirus restrictive measures pushing the government earlier to cancel its plan for a night curfew during Ramadan. But the recent surge in cases and submerged hospitals dictated the return to night curfew and travel bans.
Tunisia is facing “the worst health crisis in its history,” Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi said.
Mosques, markets and nonessential businesses will be closed under the new restrictions, Mechichi said, adding that “health institutions are at risk of collapse.”
The lockdown was imposed as around 100 people die of COVID-19 everyday in the north African country, where more than 500 people are in intensive care amid a lack of oxygen cylinders, beds and medical staff.
Tunisia, with a population of around 12 million, had registered more than 300,000 coronavirus cases and over 11,200 deaths.