Mauritius extends COVID-19 lockdown until April 30

ANKARA (AA) - Mauritius has extended the lockdown period till April 30, despite the re-opening of additional economic activities from Thursday, the attorney general has announced.

The Indian Ocean island of 1.4 million people first went into a two-week lockdown on March 10, which was extended on March 25.

In a televised press briefing in the capital Port Louis, Maneesh Gobin said only some specific economic activities will be allowed to operate under strict sanitary conditions.

Under the Temporary Restriction of Movement Order, there is a ban on gatherings while wearing a face mask in public is mandatory.

Places still closed include cinemas, leisure parks, gaming houses, casinos, sports complexes, and wedding halls.

Mauritius has confirmed 12 COVID-19-related deaths and 1,028 infections, according to the US-based John Hopkins University.

According to the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, more than 117,000 people have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose since Mauritius started its immunization drive on Jan. 26.

Visitors holding the premium visa as well as residents holding a work permit, residence permit or occupational permit are eligible to receive their vaccinations free of charge.

Mauritius is using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.