Madagascar has postponed the reopening of schools previously planned for Monday next week, citing an increase in coronavirus cases.
The country’s cabinet said schools would remain closed until further notice.
Some schools have been converted into Covid-19 treatment centers, Madagascar-Tribune has reported.
Weekly markets in the capital, Antananarivo, have also been suspended.
Madagascar has so far reported 29,348 coronavirus cases including 520 deaths, according to data from John Hopkins University.
The country had touted a herbal tonic – Covid Organics – as a cure for the virus despite the World Health Organization’s warning against using untested remedies.
Last month, Madagascar said it would register to join the Covax global vaccine initiative.
BBC