The Tunisian government instructed a new lockdown measure to better handle the third deadly wave of Covid-19. According to information reported last May 7 by PM Hichem Mechidi, all citizens will have to stay home and only go out in cases of strict necessity from May 9 to 16.

Movements between regions are banned and there is a curfew from 7 pm to 5 am. The new measure is aimed at helping the country fight “the worst health crisis it has ever faced.” Official stats mention nearly 100 deaths a day with hospitals being overwhelmed. Demand for oxygen in hospitals is growing but the government is unable to meet it. To date, Tunisia has recorded more than 317,010 cases with 11,208 deaths (Africa CDC).

Let’s recall that the government imposed a lockdown in March 2020 but this stringent measure has only pushed a sluggish economy further into recession. The Tunisian economy shrunk by 8.8% in 2020 according to AfDB figures.

With the Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, just days away, this new lockdown is expected to have a significant economic and social impact on the country, making the economic recovery goals set for this year a little more difficult to reach.

According to Prime Minister Mechichi, only essential food stores will remain open during the lockdown. "Mosques, markets, and non-essential businesses will be closed under the new restrictions," he said.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou