Tunisia imposes nationwide four-day lockdown

TUNIS - Tunisia’s government is imposing a nationwide four-day anti-coronavirus lockdown starting Thursday, which coincides with the anniversary of the toppling of the country’s autocratic leader 10 years ago.

Health minister Fawzi Madhi announced the measure, noting the lockdown through Sunday will include an overnight curfew from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. Schools are also being shut for 10 days from Thursday.

Tunisia has reported more than 5,100 coronavirus-related deaths.

Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of the ouster on Jan. 14, 2011, of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who led Tunisia for 23 years before the eruption of nationwide protests that inspired what became known as the Arab Spring.

The movement unleashed revolt across the Arab world, toppling several autocratic leaders. Ben Ali died in 2019.