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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday ordered the implementation of home lockdown in the capital Algiers and its adjacent province of Blida, in a move to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
The decision has been taken during a meeting of the High Security Council held at the President Office, attended by top military and security officials, as well as cabinet members, said a statement of the Presidency.
The source specified that President Tebboune has ordered a series of "immediate" measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including home lockdown in the virus epicenter province of Blida for 10 days.
Blida has registered so far eight death cases and 125 infection cases from COVID-19, since the outbreak of the pandemic in February.
Also, Blida province is subject to isolation, as no coming and going movements are allowed during this period, added the source.
A home lockdown has also been ordered in Algiers, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., said the statement, adding that only bakeries, vegetables and grocery stores, as well as ambulant merchants are allowed to activate.
Gatherings of more than two people are also banned, the source said, noting that such measures would be extended to other provinces depending on the degree of the virus spread.
National gendarmerie and security troops are tasked with the mission of assuring the implementation and full respect of the home lockdown decision, noted the statement.
On Sunday, the North African nation announced the activation of "Level 3" alert to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The government has also taken several preventive measures including providing paid leave for 50 percent of employees, except those working in vital fields.
The government suspended all non-essential air and sea voyages, in addition to the suspension of private and public transportation marches and sit-ins, as well as the closure of crowded places such as schools, universities, sports arenas, and mosques.
These measures will be maintained until April 4, and are likely to be extended if necessary.
Meanwhile, the government announced earlier on Monday that it has authorized hospitals to use the treatment protocol destined for malaria disease on patients infected with the COVID-19.
Health Minister, Abderrahmane Benbouzid, told reporters that the protocol treatment consists of three medicines, including two locally produced antibiotics and an imported drug.
Benbouzid reassured that Algeria has enough stock of treatment for up to 200,000 COVID-19 patients, noting that this treatment should be prescribed for confirmed infection cases only.
A recent French study concluded that malaria treatment could be beneficial to fight COVID-19 infection if taken with an antibiotic mechanism.
Algerian health authorities on Monday said infection cases with COVID-19 have risen to 230, in addition to 17 death cases, as no new death case has been reported in the last 24 hours.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
