Tunisian premier cancels Italy trip over virus concerns

TUNIS

Tunisian Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi on Tuesday canceled his visit to Italy, after one of his ministers tested positive for the coronavirus.

"The visit was cancelled as Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support Ali Kooli has tested positive for COVID-19. The other delegation members have tested negative," the official TAP news agency said citing head of the Prime Minister's Office Moez Lidinellah Mokaddem.

Mechichi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Paris on Saturday for a work visit.

Coronavirus tests conducted in Paris before heading to Italy were negative except for the finance minister prompting cancelation of the visit.

Mechichi is expected to head back to Tunisia.

On Tuesday, Tunisia recorded 21 coronavirus deaths and 397 cases, pushing the total to 111,758 cases including 3,915 deaths and 85,882 recoveries.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat