Tunisia: Lockdown measures to ease from May 4 /update 8

Event

Tunisian authorities announced on Wednesday, April 29, that the country's ongoing lockdown measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be gradually lifted from Monday, May 4. The country's lockdown is due to expire on Sunday, May 3. Under the relaxed measures, parts of the food and construction sector can resume operations, while half of government employees will be allowed to return to work. Public transport services will also partially resume. The restrictions will be further eased from Monday, May 11, when clothing shops and malls will be permitted to reopen. According to authorities, a broader relaxation of measures has been planned for Sunday, June 14, but will depend on the spread of COVID-19. Students in the final year of high school will resume classes on Thursday, May 28, while other students will return to school in September. Medicine and pharmacy students will return to university on Monday, May 11.

A countrywide curfew is in place from 20:00 to 06:00 (local time) during Ramadan from Friday, April 24. Individuals are only allowed to leave their homes outside of the curfew hours for essential activities such as grocery shopping or to seek medical attention. Authorities have also prohibited travel between cities and regions. All international commercial flights in Tunisia remain suspended as a precautionary measure; individuals entering Tunisia must self-quarantine for 14 days.

As of Wednesday, April 29, there are 980 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tunisia, including 40 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone non-essential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.