The measure means people are advised to stay home and limit movement outside the house to access basic necessities.

The move came a day after Timor-Leste recorded a further 76 new cases, bringing the total number of active infections to 1014.

Wednesday’s tally included eight people displaying symptoms of the virus, the Integrated Crisis Management Centre (IGC) said in a statement.

Timor-Leste remains in a state of emergency, where it has been since March 2020, with a further four week extension to June 1 approved by National Parliament on Wednesday.

The state of emergency includes restrictive measures in a bid to control the outbreak, including limits on public gatherings and movement within and between municipalities to essential travel.

Health fences restricting people’s movement in and out of municipalities remain in COVID-19 hotspots. This includes Dili, Baucau, Viquequeque, Ainaro, Covalima and Ermera with new ones agreed by National Parliament on Thursday for Liquiçá, Lautem and Manufahi until May 16.