Madagascar re-imposes lockdown amid surge in Coronavirus cases

Madagascar has placed its capital Antananarivo under a fresh lockdown following a new spike in coronavirus infections, two months after the restrictions were eased, the presidency announced on Sunday, July 5.

“The Analamanga region (under which the capital is situated) is returning to full lockdown,” the presidency said.

No traffic will be allowed in or out of the region starting Monday until July 20 and a strict curfew will be imposed on street movement by people.

“Only one person per household is allowed to go out into the street between 6:00 am (0400 GMT) and 12:00 pm (1000 GMT),” said the statement.

The measures have been taken “because of the spread of the epidemic and the increase of COVID-19 cases,” it added.

All government meetings will now be held via video conferencing, while court hearings have been suspended.

Madagascar was used to registering dozens of COVID-19 cases a day, but the country has recently seen a spike in cases after 216 peoples tested positive on Saturday, July 4.

According to the country's health officials, 2,728 positive cases have been recorded including 29 deaths since the virus was first detected on the Indian Ocean Island on March 20.

Back in April, President Andry Rajoelina launched a herbal medicine, COVID-Organics, which he claimed prevents and cures the novel Coronavirus.