Mozambique extends public calamity period for 30 days with reopening measures

MAPUTO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- The situation of "public calamity" announced by the Mozambican government due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended for another 30 days, with several restrictive measures eased for a gradual and balanced reopening, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced on Wednesday.

A woman displaced by violence in the north of Mozambique, carries sacks of food on her head after purchasing them with vouchers in Pemba on May 24, 2021. (File photo: AFP)

Addressing the nation through television from his office, the president announced the relaxed measures including the reduction of curfew hours, the reopening of beaches and public swimming pools, and the resumption of pre-school education and visa issuance.

"The resumption of pre-school education is authorized, but only if schools are able to comply with the sanitary protocols," he said.

Other measures include the authorization of training for sports teams and championships, the extension of the hours allowed for selling alcoholic beverages, and the increase of the headcount limitation in religious services, funerals and meetings.

The decree will be in force until June 25, but the president stressed that they are reversible, if the collaboration from the public is not verified.

Nyusi said that although the country has recently registered a slowdown trend in the new cases of COVID-19, "the pandemic is far from over," therefore one should not forget the basic preventive measures of COVID-19, such as wearing masks and social distancing.