Madagascar has placed its capital Antananarivo under a fresh lockdown following a spike in coronavirus infections, two months after the restrictions were eased, the presidency announced Sunday.
"The Analamanga region (under which the capital is situated) is returning to full lockdown.
No traffic will be allowed in or out of the region starting Monday until July 20.
Only one person per household is allowed to go out into the street between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Used to registering dozens of coronavirus cases a day, Madagascar has in recent days seen an exponential rise in daily numbers, jumping to a record 216 cases on Saturday after a total 675 people were tested.
Nearly 24,000 tests have been conducted in Madgascar and 2,728 cases confirmed and 29 deaths.
In April, President Andry Rajoelina launched a local herbal concoction he claimed prevents and cures the novel coronavirus.
Rajoelina has been promoting the brew for export, saying it is the country’s “green gold” which will “change history”.
The potential benefits of Covid-Organics, a tonic derived from artemisia — a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment and other indigenous herbs, have not been validated by any scientific study.
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