Algeria Reopens Mosques, Hotels as it Eases Virus Restrictions

The Algerian government decided on Sunday to reopen all mosques across the country as it eases restrictions imposed over the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Strict health measures and protocols will be implemented at the mosques.

The government also authorized the resumption of the operation of all public and private hotels. All gatherings, weddings, circumcision ceremonies and political demonstrations remain prohibited.

Authorities did, however, extend the 10pm to 5am curfew for another 15 days throughout the country.

Algeria launched its vaccination campaign on January 30. The first shot of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine was administered in Blida, where the first case of the virus was reported.

The authorities are in talks with Moscow to manufacture the vaccine in Algeria, according to local media reports.

Algiers has also received doses of the British AstraZeneca vaccine.

More than 110,000 infections, including nearly 3,000 deaths, have been officially registered in the most populous country in the Maghreb since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on February 25, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health.