Namibia’s President Hage Geingob has ordered a reduction in the number of people allowed to attend public gatherings following a spike in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country.
The Covid-19 spike in recent days has seen 119 healthcare workers contracting the disease, with three deaths since Monday.
Bars and restaurants in the country will now close at 22:00 local time and owners have been asked to ensure tables are two metres apart.
The new restrictions take effect from Wednesday at midnight and will remain in place for 14 days.
Public transport drivers and passengers have also been asked to have their masks on throughout their journeys.
Namibia has 16,913 confirmed coronavirus cases including 164 deaths.
The Namibian government has for the past two months eased regulations as the infection rate dropped from 317 in a day at its peak at the end of August to 63 a day in mid-September.
But there are now concerns of a second wave of the deadly virus that has so far killed at least 160 people in Namibia.
The spike comes after Namibia relaxed regulations 15 days ago. From December 1 2020 to January 25 2021, the sale of alcohol at nightclubs, shebeens and bars was extended to midnight, while public gatherings remained limited to a maximum of 200 people.
Shops and businesses are no longer required to keep registers of persons visiting their premises.
