The non-governmental organization (NGO) Institute for Multiparty Democracy defended this Wednesday that the new measures against covid-19 in force in Mozambique have a "strong potential to revive" the country's economy, towards the "consolidation of the new normal".

"The current measures have a strong potential to revive the economy by ensuring a balance between preserving public health and stimulating the normal functioning of the economy," the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) said in a note sent to the media.

The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, eased the restrictive measures against covid-19, effective since Monday, following the slowdown of all epidemiological indicators.

The curfew in force in the main cities of the country now runs from 00:00 to 04:00, when before it was in effect from 23:00.

Among the measures announced is also "the resumption of the normal functioning of public and private institutions," the extension of opening hours of commercial spaces and the increase of capacity of swimming pools, theaters, cinemas, auditoriums, places of worship, museums, as well as social and private events - all while respecting the measures of hygiene and distance to prevent covid-19.

Bars can now also open until 9:00 PM.

For the IMD, the easing of the measures will restore "hope for the revival of the economy" of Mozambique, taking into account the "reopening of some borders and other important sectors in the economic, social, and sports fields."

"Clearly this is a major step towards the consolidation of the new normal," the NGO stressed, noting that the gain is the result of a "noticeable rise in awareness among Mozambicans" regarding the disease.

Lusa Agency