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Tunisia, Algeria to shut land border over coronavirus 

March 18, 2020 at 1:25 pm

People wear masks as a preventive measure against coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in Tunis, Tunisia on 17 March 2020 [Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency]

Tunisia closed its land crossings with Algeria at midnight in its effort to counter the coronavirus pandemic.

An Algerian diplomatic source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Tunisia’s decision to close its border is a sovereign decision, however, out of the deep fraternal relations, the government informed Algerian authorities of the measure on Monday.

The source added that the governments agree that the decision serves the interests of both countries.

The source also noted that the Algerian and Tunisian governments decided to implement the decision starting today to allow Algerians in Tunisia to leave the country.

This is the first time that the land borders between Tunisia and Algeria have been closed. The decision excludes commercial crossings which will remain open to transport goods, food and other items.

READ: Tunisia imposes 12-hour daily curfew to counter coronavirus