Cameroon on Friday began easing restrictions aimed at curbing further spread of COVID-19 as businesses start to reel.

The country will allow bars, restaurants and nightclubs to reopen, but customers will be required to adhere to some guidelines including the wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing.

The ease of the lockdown was announced in a statement by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute.

The lockdown has left many businesses struggling and caused job losses, prompting President Paul Biya's government to put in place certain measures to cushion the entities against losses.

Some of the measures introduced include the suspension of some taxes for the transport and hotel industries.

Cameroon is one of 52 countries in Africa that have recorded COVID-19 cases. The country has registered 1,832 infections and 61 fatalities.

Continentally, Africa has reported more than 37,000 cases and over 1600 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention