Tunisia: Authorities tighten restrictions in Sidi Bouzid Governorate July 9-17 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 60

Event

Authorities in Tunisia have announced that they will impose a general lockdown in Sidi Bouzid Governorate, July 9-17, as part of their efforts to combat COVID-19 and its variants. During the period, most non-essential businesses will likely remain closed. Authorities have authorized public employees to work remotely through July 21 in the governorate.

Officials are imposing increased restrictions in Sfax and surrounding areas through July 17 due to the rising COVID-19 activity. Authorities have banned public gatherings and closed recreational facilities and markets. Restaurants and cafes must close by 16:00 daily, and commercial spaces can not exceed a 50-percent capacity. Authorities may impose additional measures in the coming days.

Starting early July, authorities implemented tighter restrictions in Grand Tunis, which consists of the governorates of Tunis, Ariana, Manouba, and Ben Arous. A nightly 20:00-05:00 curfew in Grand Tunis will remain in effect until further notice. Additionally, authorities will ban all travel to and from Grand Tunis through at least July 14. Dinning inside restaurants and cafes is not allowed. Restaurants and cafes must also close by 16:00 daily. All public gatherings are banned, and places of worship will be closed for the duration of the measures.

Other nationwide restrictions continue through at least July 11. As part of the measures, the general lockdown in several governorates, including Beja, Khairouan, and Siliana, was extended. While authorities typically introduce general lockdowns in any governorate experiencing infection rates higher than 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, those with infection rates exceeding 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants must abide by the following measures:

• Ban on travel to and from the governorate in question.

• Nightly 20:00-05:00 curfew.

• Closure of all non-essential businesses for the duration of the lockdown.

• Ban on all large gatherings.

The following restrictions are still in place for regions having infection rates below 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants:

• Nightly 22:00-05:00 curfew through July 11.

• Ban on all gatherings until further notice.

• Protective face coverings mandatory in public areas.

• Public transportation operating at 50 percent capacity.

• Cafes and restaurants are restricted to operating at 30 percent capacity.

As concerns COVID-19-related international travel restrictions, certain travelers are no longer required to quarantine or provide a negative PCR test result at entry. These include:

• Travelers who have been fully inoculated and can provide proof of their vaccination along with a QR code

• Travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 six weeks before traveling to Tunisia and can provide a medical certificate issued by health authorities

While Tunisia's land, sea, and air borders are open, all other incoming travelers must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departing for the country, regardless of their point of origin. Health officials also perform random COVID-19 testing at airports. Authorities have imposed a seven-day mandatory quarantine for most travelers to the country. Officials also require all travelers to download the E7mi tracking application upon arrival in the country. In response to COVID-19 variants, Tunisia has suspended all flights with Australia, Brazil, Denmark, South Africa, and the UK until further notice. The suspension includes flights transiting Tunisia.

Authorities will likely implement localized restrictions throughout Tunisia, particularly across regions that experience a rise in COVID-19 cases. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Tunisian COVID-19 Country Clarifications (Arabic)
Tunisian Ministry of Health (French)
E7mi Mobile Tracking Application (Arabic)