Algerian Health Minister Abderrahman Benbouzid said Monday that a renewal of nationwide lockdown “is not on the agenda right now,” but the government will choose “a targeted lockdown” in regions with a significant increase in coronavirus cases.
“The failure to comply with precautionary and preventive measures” were among many reasons for the rebound of cases in Algeria, Benbouzid said in a press conference.
As of Monday, Algeria had 16,404 confirmed cases with 959 deaths.
The country reported the first infection with the coronavirus on Feb. 25, an Italian national who was subsequently sent back home.
Algeria has taken preventive measures, including lockdown, since March to contain the spread of the pandemic, and has resumed economic and commercial activities since June 7 as part of the effort to ease the lockdown.
