People dine at a cafe in Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the center of Tunis, Tunisia on June 4, 2020. The third phase of the national strategy for partially lifting the coronavirus lockdown in Tunisia was started on Thursday. All shops, restaurants, hotels, public administrations and worship places reopened their doors. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)
TUNIS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The third phase of the national strategy for partially lifting the coronavirus lockdown in Tunisia was started on Thursday.
In Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the main avenue in the capital Tunis, life is gradually coming back to normal and the street was crowded with masked people.
All shops, restaurants, hotels, public administrations and worship places reopened their doors.
Under the government's decision, party halls also reopened with 50 percent capacity for the enclosed spaces, and the open spaces can operate at full capacity with hygiene measures.
According to the Tunisian minister in charge of major national projects Lobna Jribi, travel between all Tunisian governorates resumed without authorization.
As for Tunisian nationals abroad, "they will be repatriated from June 4 to June 14 and the priority will be given to students and residents who have lost their jobs," Jribi said at a press briefing at the government's headquarters in Tunis on Wednesday.
The national strategy for partial lifting the lockdown has three stages, with the first carried out from May 4 to 24, the second from May 24 to June 4, and the third from June 4 to 14.
The Tunisian government imposed strict confinement measures shortly after the announcement of the first coronavirus case on March 2.
Tunisia reported no new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country remained at 1,087.
According to a ministry statement, a total of 968 patients have recovered in Tunisia while 49 deaths were reported in 15 provinces.
The North African country has received several batches of medical aid from the Chinese government, foundations and companies since late March to help its fight against the pandemic.
