Mozambique will step up measures to prevent covid-19 due to the increase in the number of cases and deaths in recent weeksannounced this Thursday the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi.

"There is a need to delay and mitigate the third wave" to "try to control it," the head of state said in a communication to the nation.

The measures to be in effect for 30 days (under the state of calamity) starting Saturday are those already decreed on May 26, with some exceptions.

The start of the night curfew in major cities and in some specific locations around the country will be moved back from 23:00 to 22:00, lasting until 04:00.

Service in public institutions can only be done by appointment and teleworking should be favored, at least for 30% staff when the recommended distance is not possible.

There will be a reduction in the number of people allowed to attend religious services and celebrations, conferences and meetings, restaurant and shopping center hours will be shortened on some days, and theaters and cultural centers will be closed again.

The beaches will also be closed again for leisure activities.

Filipe Nyusi blames the "total and widespread non-compliance with prevention measures" and "inadequate enforcement" to justify the worsening number of cases and deaths.

According to him, "the enforcement actions will be intensified," noting that, with this, he is not asking the authorities to "chamboque" (flog, in the sense of physically acting) the citizens, but rather calls for everyone's collaboration.

The head of state also mentioned that the government is working to have more vaccines.

"For reasons beyond our control - and which do not affect only Mozambique - there is a general lack of vaccines," so "the best vaccine is collective respect for preventive measures.