Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad, on Saturday, threatened to shut down commercial activity once again after COVID-19 cases spiked. He called on Algerians to uphold their individual and social responsibilities in order for the country to overcome the coronavirus crisis.
Djerad, speaking during a visit to Constantine Province, said that the increase in positive coronavirus cases has pushed him to vow to roll back the easing of restrictions, especially for commercial activities.
The PM added that the government had loosened the restrictions at the demand of trade and consumer organizations, but it also depended on citizens abiding by health recommendations and social distancing.
“We believed the number of COVID-19 cases is stable, but the number increased due to the disregard of some of the preventive conditions,” Djerad said, highlighting that the government will reverse some of its decisions in order to protect the vast majority should citizens refrain from upholding health precautions.
Djerad stressed that Algeria was able to limit the spread of the virus as much as possible, by harnessing its economic, material and human capabilities.
A large segment of Algerians is concerned about the very high number of coronavirus infections, which hiked since the beginning of Islam’s holy month of fasting, Ramadan.
During the first six days of Ramadan, a thousand new infections were registered, with a noticeable increase in cases in provinces that were believed to be safe from the pandemic.
So far, the Ministry of Health has announced more than 4,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 450 deaths.
