The Tunisian Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday August 5 the obligation to wear a health mask in all public spaces, under penalty of sanctions, in order to limit the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. " Putting on means of protection and especially masks is compulsory, " Minister of Health Mohamed Habib Kchaou told journalists.
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This measure applies to all public spaces, closed and in the open air, throughout the territory, the Ministry of Health told AFP. Sanctions will be imposed on offenders. The nature of these sanctions will be decided on Thursday during a ministerial council.
Some 1,585 cases have been officially reported since early March, including 51 deaths. According to the ministry, 306 people still carry the virus, nine of whom are hospitalized. Tunisia, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, was able to take early and strict measures at the start of the epidemic, including restrictions on movement within the country and the closure of borders on March 16.
Increase in cases since the reopening of borders
But the reopening on June 27 was carried out without specific precautions imposed on travelers from countries classified as " green ", including France, Italy or Great Britain. Since then, officially reported cases have been on the rise. According to the Ministry of Health, Tunisia has recorded 346 cases of imported contamination and 66 identified locally since June 27.
To limit the spread of the pandemic at airports, only travelers - who must wear masks - will have access. “ Tunisia will no longer be able to close its borders because the economic situation will not allow it. We have to live with the virus, ”Kchaou said.
Tunisia is hit hard by the social fallout from travel restrictions. Tens of thousands of jobs are in the hot seat in the tourism, automobile and informal trade sectors, while the country is already struggling to reduce unemployment, which affects a third of young people.