Libya imposes curbs as virus cases hit new high
TRIPOLI: Libya imposed sweeping restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus as recorded cases hit a new high, with experts warning of a “critical” situation.
For the next two weeks, cafes must close, weddings and organised funerals with mourners are barred, and the use of public transport is banned, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said in a decree.
Restaurants can only serve food via deliveries, while people must wear a mask and observe social distancing rules in shops and markets.
National Centre for Disease Control head Badreddine Al Najjar warned of a “critical” situation, due to the rapid increase in infections.
In past weeks, daily recorded cases have not exceeded 400 a day.
But numbers spiked this week, with health officials recording 2,854 cases in 48 hours, according to latest official figures.
Libya is struggling to emerge from decades of violence and political rivalries following its descent into chaos in the atermath of the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that ousted dictator Moamer Qadhafi.
The new measures come just days ater the borders were closed with North African neighbour Tunisia, where the health system is struggling to cope with an influx of patients with Covid-19.
Libya, a country of less than seven million, has officially recorded 204,090 cases including 3,240 deaths. Just over 425,000 people have been vaccinated.
The decision came as a precautionary step to what the government described as “worsening situation and collapsed health system,” as well as the increasing number of cases with coronavirus delta variant in Tunisia.
The closure of both land border and airport with Tunisia will start as of Thursday midnight, Mohamed Hamouda, the Government of National Unity (GNU) spokesman said.
Hamouda also said universities and schools have suspended classes for around two weeks for the same reason.
Ater successfully containing the virus in the first wave last year, Tunisia grappled with a rise in infections.
It has imposed a lockdown in some cities since last week, but rejected a full national lockdown due to its economic crisis.
The total number of cases in Tunisia has climbed to around 465,000, with more than 15,000 deaths recorded.