'We want to be proactive': Tunisia gears up to battle coronavirus

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Tunis, Tunisia - There are around 100 unused shisha pipes tucked away in the corner of the Bar el Hara teahouse in the Lafayette neighbourhood in central Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It has been this way since the government's decision last week to ban smoking pipes as part of measures against the spread of the coronavirus. But the owner, Sofien Bin Ayed, said his regular customers were angry and went to look for another cafe. More: Trump declares national emergency as coronavirus crisis deepens Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases? What happens if you catch the new coronavirus? "We are used to freedom. So when a strong decision like this comes, we are not used to it," said Bin Ayed, sipping coffee from a disposable cup, another safety measure introduced recently. "They said, the government was rushing but we don't have a choice - you just have to go on the internet to see what a danger it is." 'We want to be proactive' As European countries see hundreds of new coronavirus cases appear by the day, Tunisia is cautiously watching. Tunisia's Ministry of Health said there are 24 confirmed cases, putting the country at "level two" of the threat. However, Chokri Hamouda, director of basic health services, told Al Jazeera the government is taking "level three" precautions, adding that he did not rule out a "level four" emergency in the future. "We are lucky to be behind them and we don't want to be like them. We want to be proactive," he said.

Cafe Saadoun in Tunis has stopped offering shisha to customers after a countrywide ban on smoking pipes [Layli Foroudi/Al Jazeera] Cafe Saadoun in Tunis has stopped offering shisha to customers after a countrywide ban on smoking pipes [Layli Foroudi/Al Jazeera]  MORE ON CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Trump drops idea of coronavirus lockdowns: Live updates today Italy's coronavirus death toll passes 10,000: Live updates today Coronavirus: What sporting events are affected by the pandemic? today Coronavirus pandemic: Which politicians and celebs are affected? today Tunis, Tunisia - There are around 100 unused shisha pipes tucked away in the corner of the Bar el Hara teahouse in the Lafayette neighbourhood in central Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.   It has been this way since the government's decision last week to ban smoking pipes as part of measures against the spread of the coronavirus.  But the owner, Sofien Bin Ayed, said his regular customers were angry and went to look for another cafe.  More:  Trump declares national emergency as coronavirus crisis deepens Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases? What happens if you catch the new coronavirus? "We are used to freedom. So when a strong decision like this comes, we are not used to it," said Bin Ayed, sipping coffee from a disposable cup, another safety measure introduced recently.  "They said, the government was rushing but we don't have a choice - you just have to go on the internet to see what a danger it is."  'We want to be proactive' As European countries see hundreds of new coronavirus cases appear by the day, Tunisia is cautiously watching.  Tunisia's Ministry of Health said there are 24 confirmed cases, putting the country at "level two" of the threat.  However, Chokri Hamouda, director of basic health services, told Al Jazeera the government is taking "level three" precautions, adding that he did not rule out a "level four" emergency in the future.  "We are lucky to be behind them and we don't want to be like them. We want to be proactive," he said.