Learning institutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo reopened on Monday after a months-long closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary schools, secondary schools and universities were initially scheduled to reopen on 3 August but the move was delayed because of "technical and administrative reasons," according to Willy Bakonga, the education minister.

The DR Congo's learning institutions were ordered shut in March as part of efforts to curb further spread of the virus. Mass gatherings were also banned.

As the learning institutions reopened, President Felix Tshisekedi visited some facilities and thanked the Education Ministry for their efforts to ensure learning resumed in the country.

"We ask you to be careful. We have lifted the state of emergency, but the virus is still there," Anadolu Agency quotes President Tshisekedi in his visit to the Athenee De La Gombe Eligo Secondary School.

"It is true that young people are resilient, but they can be carriers. Avoid manual contact and wash your hands. Do everything not to get infected, you risk infecting your families," he added.

The DR Congo had reported 9,489 COVID-19 infections and 224 deaths by Monday.