The law on the state of health emergency empowering the government to exercise great powers to control the health situation and take exceptional measures to stem the spread of the pandemic and protect the people\\'s health and safety was the focus of a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday morning under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi.

The law on the state of health emergency, according to a Prime Ministry press release, provides for the imposition of partial or general lockdown, the determination and control of the residence of persons infected or suspected of carrying the virus, restrictions on their movements, including house arrest, restrictions on the freedom of movement of persons, vehicles and means of transport, the closure of public spaces and businesses and the prevention of all kinds of gatherings, activities and protests.

This law also allows the Prime Minister to adopt exceptional decisions of an economic, financial or social nature to deal with the repercussions of applying the measures taken during a health emergency.

This law stipulates penalties for violations of health protection provisions, ranging from a fine to physical restraint, according to the Penal Code.