Algeria extends COVID-19 lockdown to April 29
CGTN
Medical workers are seen at the Boufarik Hospital in the province of Blida, Algeria, on March 3, 2020. Algerian Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, bringing the total number in the country to eight. The three new cases were recorded in the family circle of the previous four cases in the province of Blida. (Xinhua)

Medical workers are seen at the Boufarik Hospital in the province of Blida, Algeria, on March 3, 2020. Algerian Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, bringing the total number in the country to eight. The three new cases were recorded in the family circle of the previous four cases in the province of Blida. (Xinhua)

Algeria will extend a lockdown by 10 days until April 29 as it tries to limit the spread of COVID-19 amid increases in deaths and confirmed cases, the prime minister's office said on Saturday.

The government had imposed a full lockdown in the Blida area, south of the capital Algiers, and a night curfew in the country's remaining 47 provinces until April 19.

"All other preventive measures will remain in place," the office said in a statement, referring to measures including the suspension of flights and public transport and closure of universities, schools, restaurants and cafes.

Algeria is one of 52 countries in Africa that have reported cases of COVID-19. The North African country has so far reported 2,418 infections and 364 deaths.

Africa's overall cases have surpassed 20,000, with over 1,000 fatalities.

Source(s): Reuters