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Tunisia Imposes Full Lockdown in 4 Governorates

A man is vaccinated in Tunisia. (EPA)
A man is vaccinated in Tunisia. (EPA)
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Tunisia Imposes Full Lockdown in 4 Governorates

A man is vaccinated in Tunisia. (EPA)
A man is vaccinated in Tunisia. (EPA)

Tunisian authorities imposed on Monday a full lockdown in four governorates amid a spike in coronavirus infections.

The lockdown was imposed in Beja, Siliana, Zaghouan and Kairouan. A curfew will be in place from 5 pm to 5 am.

The lockdown was adopted after more than 400 infections were reported among every 100,000 people.

Authorities have banned gatherings, cultural activities and family events and ordered shut markets and shops, except those selling food, to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Travel to and from these governorates is also banned, except for students sitting for national exams.

Dr. Samar Samoud, a professor of immunology at the Pasteur Institute, said Monday that the Institute will reveal this week the results of the sequencing of some positive Covid-19 cases recorded in Kairouan to determine the variant of the strain that is spreading in the governorate.

She ruled out that the sequencing would uncover a new strain, adding that medical tests have revealed that the British variant makes up the majority of COVID-19 cases.

The Health Ministry announced 78 COVID-19 deaths and 1,775 new infections in the past 24 hours, with a positivity rate standing at 29.40% after 6,037 samples were taken.

The case tally soared to 382,950, while the death count surged to 14,038 since the pandemic began in Tunisia.

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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)

The US State Department’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi militias as a “foreign terrorist organization” has been welcomed by the legitimate Yemeni government, but has triggered UN concerns over its impact on humanitarian access, with the international body calling for “guarantees.”

While Yemeni reports suggest the designation could economically strangle the Iran-backed Houthis, fears are mounting that the move may push them to derail the fragile truce, resume the war against the government, and escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis.

It renewed its call for the international community to take similar steps to dry up the militias' funding, arms supplies, and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring stability and peace in Yemen.

In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the country has long suffered from the ravages of war and Iranian interference.

It called the US designation a reinforcement of its partnership with the United States and its allies in the fight against terrorism, hoping it will help curb activities that threaten the security of its citizens, the region, and global maritime trade.

The statement also affirmed Yemen's readiness to cooperate fully with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the designation, aiming to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and promote peace and security in the region.

Amid concerns over the impact of the US designation on humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled areas, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for US guarantees.

During a press briefing, he emphasized that the designation should be accompanied by “appropriate assurances” to ensure effective humanitarian aid delivery and to allow civilians access to essential goods and services.

Dujarric also highlighted the UN’s focus on humanitarian response in Yemen, where nearly 19 million people require life-saving assistance, and 17 million are at risk of famine.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the role of the private sector in securing basic needs.

Dujarric cautioned that any disruption in the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in a country that relies on imports for around 90% of its food supply.