CAPE TOWN, (ANA) - Algerian authorities have opted to keep land, air and sea borders closed until the end of the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese news agency Xinhua has reported.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made the announcement on Sunday.
The country closed its land, sea and air borders in mid-March as the government implemented stringent coronavirus prevention measures to contain the spread of the virus in the North African country.
Furthermore, President Tebboune said in a cabinet meeting that firmer measures would be taken against citizens who did not respect preventive measures.
Algeria has 13 571 total coronavirus cases with 905 Covid-19 related fatalities according to the latest data.
Since the country first reported a positive Covid-19 case on February 25, 9 674 people have recovered from the virus.
In mid-June, the country began easing lockdown regulations as a means of gradually reopening the economy.
In Algeria, buses and taxis in urban areas have resumed services with a limited number of passengers, while taxi drivers are ordered to take one client at a time, according to English-language news outlet The Nationale.
Some businesses such as clothing and shoe shops, car rentals and hair salons have also reopened under strict health precautionary measures.
Africa currently has 397 484 covid-19 cases, the continent amassing nearly 200 000 cases in only two weeks, and nearly 10 000 deaths, according to the latest data.
Covid-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year. Six months later, there have been nearly 10.4 million cases worldwide and more than 500 000 deaths.
- African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay