The United Nations-backed government in Libya has announced an immediate total curfew in an effort to stop the coronavirus spreading.
It will last for four days, and there will then be a partial curfew.
The measures will only apply in areas of western Libya that are under the UN-backed government’s control. The rest of the country is held by other forces.
The National Center for Disease Control of Libya had on Wednesday reported 553 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country so far to 11,834.
The center in a statement said it received a total of 2,094 suspected samples, of which 553 tested positive, adding that 40 patients have recovered and seven died.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in Libya is 11,834, including 1,152 recoveries and 210 deaths, the center confirmed.
China donated medical aid to Libya in June to help the country’s pandemic battle.
Analysts say there will be some suspicion that the lockdown is at least in part intended to stifle a wave of anti-government protests.
Demonstrators angry at corruption and dire living conditions have been taking to the streets of the capital, Tripoli, in recent days.
