DAKAR, Senegal

A 10-day state of emergency has been declared in Mali due to growing cases of the novel coronavirus, the government spokesperson announced on Friday.  

The schools and restaurants have been closed to stem the spread of the virus.

In a press statement, the Spokesperson Hamadoun Toureh announced the new measures were taken concerning the rising COVID-19 cases.

Toureh said a state of emergency has been declared for 10 days. The educational institutions, restaurants, entertainment venues, and some marketplaces will remain closed till Jan. 10.

There are about 150 daily cases in Mali as of December.

In the country of about 20 million people, at least 6,049 cases have been detected infected since the outbreak of the virus, with 211 deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1.66 million lives in 191 countries and regions since last December.

Nearly 75.18 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 42.51 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

While the US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases, Europe is in the grip of a devastating second wave of infections.  

*Writing by Merve Berker