Algeria eases lockdown but borders remain closed

The decision on when to reopen land and sea borders has been postponed until next month

An Algerian man leaves a barber shop after getting a haircut in the capital Algiers after authorities eased some restrictions put in place in a bid to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP

Algeria's government eased the country's curfew on Sunday but said land and sea borders will remain closed amid a relaxation of coronavirus lockdown measures that have allowed public transport to resume in cities and more businesses to reopen

Following a meeting on Saturday, the Algerian Presidency released a statement saying the decision on whether to reopen the country's borders and air space was postponed until next month.

Algeria shut all land borders with neighbouring countries on March 17 and suspended incoming and outgoing flights with the exception of cargo flights.

But other aspects of the lockdown have been eased, with the curfew ending in 19 provinces and shortened in the remaining 29, including in the capital Algiers, where it will run from 8 pm to 5 am instead of the current 7 pm to 7 am, the prime minister’s office said.

It said buses and taxis in urban areas will also resume services with a limited number of passengers. Taxi drivers are ordered to take one client only.

Some businesses such as clothing and shoe shops, car rentals and hair salons will reopen. The government last week allowed the reopening of business such as men’s barbershops and cattle markets.

The authorities also decided to end a paid leave given in March to 50 per cent of state employees, although pregnant women and those with children will continue to benefit from the leave.

Algeria has so far reported 10,810 cases of the novel coronavirus, with 760 deaths.