The government is considering the possibility of diverting funds initially allocated to public projects to the fight against the COVID-19, said Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Olfa Ben Aouda.

“Health is a priority,” she said Sunday on the sidelines of a visit to Jendouba to take stock of the epidemiological situation.

She also called for pooling the efforts of all actors in public life with a view to stem the spread of the virus and cushion its impact on the national economy.

Social benefits will be granted shortly to vulnerable groups and all segments of the population facing economic difficulties as a result of the pandemic and lockdown measures, Aouda further said.

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Campaigns to raise awarenss of the need of immunisation will be intensified inland, the minister added. Mobile teams will also be tasked with registering the largest possible number of people on Evax platform.

Vaccines alone cannot end the pandemic as new strains emerged. Mandatory face masks, barrier gestures and the ban on sports and cultural events are the most effective ways of protection.

Source: TAP News Agency