Algeria approves plan to partially reopen borders in June

 

The Algerian government on Sunday approved a plan to partially reopen its borders next month, following 14 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Council of Ministers said in a statement after holding a meeting, chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, that a set of proposals, including the partial reopening of land, air and sea borders, were approved at the meeting.

The reopening of borders will take place on June 1, and, at the first stage, five flights a day will be scheduled from airports located in major cities, such as the capital Algiers, Oran and Constantine, the statement said.

It stressed the reopening of borders must be carried out in strict compliance with the rules on ensuring the health and safety of passengers and employees.

The decision came as the country has witnessed significant improvement in controlling the COVID-19 spread.

On Sunday, the Algerian health authorities reported 117 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 125,311.