Malawi closes schools to limit coronavirus spread

Schools in Malawi will close for at least 15 days from Monday under new restrictions to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.

In a televised address, President Lazarus Chakwera also announced a night-time curfew from 21:00 local time.

All gatherings will be restricted to no more than 50 people.

Malawi is observing a period of national mourning following the deaths of two senior cabinet ministers from Covid-19.

A third of Malawi’s 300 coronavirus deaths have taken place this month.

The president said the government was allocating a further $2m (£1.4m) to provide healthcare staff and equipment.