Coronavirus spreading in the North African region
The epidemiological situation in Tunisia is "critical", while in Algeria, authorities note that the number of daily infections is slightly rising again after several weeks of decline, and in Libya the epidemic has been on the rise for two days.
“State organs are working hard to fight the spread of the coronavirus without harming the economy” said the Tunisian Health Director General, Faycel Ben Salah, at a press conference in the capital today. The government is once again considering returning to the intensive workday in the administration and prioritizing teleworking, as it did during the nearly three months of confinement.
Last Monday, a battery of preventive measures came into force, such as the mandatory use of masks in enclosed spaces and on public and private transport, a ban on chairs in cafés and the application of social distance in restaurants. However, all these measures are hardly applied in practice.
According to the latest official figures - which show delays of more than 48 hours in the publication of statistics in recent weeks - 1,291 new cases were recorded on September 26 and 27, bringing the total to 17,405 infections and 246 deaths. The scientific committee predicts that the peak of infections will occur between the end of October and early November.
The National Union of Tunisian Nurses today began a two-day general strike to protest the deterioration of their working conditions, demand a "clear" health protocol and establish general confinement in the country for at least a week. The sector is also demanding legal action "against those responsible for endangering the lives of Tunisians by opening the borders without applying strict procedures to travellers".
For its part, the Tunisian Customs Agents' Union denounced the "lack of concern" on the part of the authorities in the face of the failure to comply with the health protocol at the airport in the capital and demanded tests for its personnel and protective material.
Days earlier, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, in power since September 2, declared that the country must "coexist" with the epidemic since a second confinement cannot be allowed due to the economic and social situation.
Algeria, which had managed to maintain a downward trend since the end of August, again recorded a slight increase on Tuesday, with 155 infections in one day, nine cases more than the previous day. In total, the epidemic has caused 51,368 positive cases and 1,726 deaths.
The authorities are not at present planning to open the borders, which have been closed for more than six months, in view of a possible second wave of infections. As for the return to the classroom, initially planned for October 4 and postponed sine die, the Ministry of Education is considering various scenarios such as doubling classes in two daily shifts for six days a week and groups of up to 20 pupils, as well as readjusting the school programme to reduce the content.
Libya recorded a further increase in the last 48 hours, with more than 800 cases per day, bringing the total to 34,014 infections and 540 deaths.
According to the online newspaper "Libya Observer", the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) arrested several officials this week, including the deputy minister of education, allegedly involved in corruption of school desks and health equipment. The military justice system also arrested the deputy minister of health and five other officials for allegedly diverting funds intended for the fight against the epidemic.
Rival governments in Libya reached an agreement today to release prisoners, reopen airspace and all land routes, and resume direct talks from next week through the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, a mechanism launched by the United Nations earlier this year to address different aspects of the conflict dragging the country since 2015.