The Tunisian government announced on Wednesday January 12 the imposition of a nighttime curfew for at least two weeks, in the face of a meteoric resumption of the Covid-19 epidemic in the country.
Read alsoCovid-19: the compulsory vaccination pass enters into force in Tunisia
"
To face the evolution of the epidemic
," the government announced "
a curfew from 22:00 (2100 GMT) until 5:00 (4:00 GMT), set up by the regional authorities according to infection rate
, "according to an official statement.
The government, on the basis of recommendations of the Scientific Council, also asked to "
postpone or cancel
" all public gatherings or demonstrations, "
whether in open or closed spaces
."
The measures, which will be effective from Thursday apply "
for a renewable period of two weeks
."
Reinforced border health controls
Tunisia will also intensify "
vaccination operations
" and ensure that the population carries out its booster doses. Health border controls will also be strengthened, with systematic tests on people entering the country, a recommendation not to go to the most contaminated areas of the country. Finally, the government calls for better compliance with health measures such as wearing a mask, physical distancing and ventilation of closed spaces.
Since December 22, Tunisia has implemented a vaccination pass for access to public buildings and shopping centers.
It is supposed to also apply in cafes and restaurants but many do not enforce it.
After a rate of contamination of 100 to 200 new cases per day in December, since the beginning of the year, Tunisia has seen contagions explode to between 1,500 and 2,000 new cases per day.
Read also Covid-19: reopening of the borders between Tunisia and Libya
On January 10, the Department of Health announced 4,865 new cases in 24 hours and a test positivity rate of 24.42%.
The ministry also announced 11 new deaths bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 25,707.
At the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic in Tunisia at the end of July 2021, the country recorded more than 200 daily deaths.
Tunisia had succeeded in controlling the situation thanks to a massive vaccination campaign, which has run out of steam lately.
Just over 6 million people are fully vaccinated, or nearly 52% of the population, according to the John Hopkins University Covid-19 Research Center.