Mozambique has registered its first case of COVID-19, the country's Health Minister Armindo Tiago said on Sunday.

Tiago told a press conference that the patient is a 75-year-old man who had recently returned from Britain midway through March.

The confirmation comes days after Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced new measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. The regulations are due to take effect as from Monday, March 23 and will be in place for a period of 30 days.

Some of the measures include the closure of all public and private schools, a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all Mozambicans and foreigners entering the country, a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people (except those of national interest).

Others are the suspension of issuance of visas to foreigners and the cancellation of those already issued.

Mozambique becomes the 43rd country in Africa to confirm at least one case of COVID-19. The continent's cases have surpassed 1,000, prompting drastic measures by governments. 

Many countries have imposed travel restrictions and limited public gatherings in a bid to curb the spread of the disease.