Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has declared a 30-day state of emergency as part of a strategic drive to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
In a live broadcast late on Monday, Nyusi said during the 30-day period movement of persons would be limited and public meetings would be prohibited to ensure that the disease does not spread.
The president also declared mandatory 14-day quarantine for all people who have travelled outside the country during the past month.
The state of emergency would be effective from midnight on April 1, he said.
Nyusi called on all Mozambicans to dedicate themselves to fighting COVID-19.
The number of confirmed cases of the respiratory disease in Mozambique is eight, according to Health Minister Armindo Tiago.
CM/jn/APA