By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia

In the face of a cholera epidemic, the Zambian government has imposed a curfew and other restrictions in the capital Lusaka.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya told journalists Sunday that cholera is spreading fast across Lusaka because people are secretly selling prohibited goods in the open.

"The government has declared a curfew in cholera hotspots as a measure to stop people from secretly selling fresh food, including vegetables and meat, at night."

Under the curfew, people will need to stay indoors from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. [1700GMT-0400GMT], and bars and nightclubs will also have restricted hours, he added.

"This is to stop people coming from cholera-affected areas, where bars and nightclubs have been closed, to come and drink at night."

Since the cholera outbreak was announced last October, over 2,300 cases and 63 deaths have been reported nationwide.

In Lusaka alone, there have been 2,090 cases of cholera and 52 deaths.

On Saturday, Zambia's Eastern Province announced that large gatherings, including weddings, concerts, and funerals, will require government clearance, after 13 cases of cholera and one death.