Tunis is in partial containment following record virus cases

Authorities placed the Tunisian capital under partial lockdown from Thursday in a bid to curb the record number of daily coronavirus cases and deaths.

Parties, sporting and cultural events and public prayers are banned until July 14 under measures that cover Tunis and its surroundings, in addition to similar measures in place for the coastal towns of Sousse and Monastir.

The measures announced on Wednesday evening also include a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and a ban on cafes and restaurants serving food except outside or for delivery.

Many Tunisian hospitals are at full capacity and doctors say they are unable to cope.

Four interior regions of the North African country have also been under total lockdown since June 20 as cases have increased.

Adding to the sense of crisis, the military has been deployed to some areas to enforce lockdown measures.

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday announced a record 5,921 cases and 116 deaths from Covid-19, the latest figures available in the country of 12 million.

Tunisia has struggled with the vaccine shortage and has so far administered initial vaccines to around 15 percent of its population, with just over half a million receiving both full doses.