By John Ikani
The North African country is battling infections from both the delta variant infections and the fast-spreading omicron variant has recorded more than 220,000 coronavirus cases and over 6,000 deaths since the pandemic began.
Algeria has closed schools for 10 days and enhanced screening at airports and other control measures following a rise in coronavirus cases.
The decision by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to cancel classes starting on Thursday, came after an emergency Wednesday meeting of the Council of Ministers, members of the COVID-19 scientific committee and the country’s security officials.
A statement from the Presidency however said that it was up to the universities to determine whether to close or reschedule their classes.
It also encouraged people to get vaccinated to counter the spread of the virus.
Algeria is battling infections from both the delta variant infections and the fast-spreading omicron variant. On Wednesday, heath officials reported a daily record of 1,359 omicron cases and 12 deaths.
The country has recorded more than 220,000 coronavirus cases and over 6,000 deaths since the pandemic began.
Less than a quarter of Algeria’s population has had even one vaccine dose.
In December, Algeria started requiring a vaccine passport to enter many public venues, seeking to boost the country’s low inoculation rate and overcome vaccine hesitancy that has left millions of vaccines unused.
The pass is also required for anyone entering or leaving Algeria, as well as for entering sports facilities, cinemas, theaters, museums, town halls and other sites like hammams — bath houses that are popular across the region.
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