Mozambique Leader Tightens Covid Restrictions

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has tightened coronavirus restrictions and extended the night-time curfew by an hour.

From Saturday it will start at 22:00, instead of 23:00, and last until 04:00 in metropolitan areas.

President Nyusi said he was responding to a spike in coronavirus cases and added that he was concerned people were not complying with Covid-19 prevention measures.

Under the new measures, which will last for 30 days from 26 June, he said services to the public would be offered on a pre-booking basis only and about 30% of the workforce in the private and public sectors should work remotely.

Those attending religious events, conferences and meetings should not exceed 40 indoors and 80 in open places.

Restaurants, take-aways and home delivery services could open from 06:00 to 20:00 local time while off-licences could open from 09:00 to 15:00, he said.

Shopping centres could open from 09:00 until 18:00 on all days except Sunday and holidays when they would have to close by 15:00, he stipulated.

Visits to the beach for leisure, games or parties were also banned, the president said, urging the public to follow all guidelines as vaccines are scarce.