ALGIERS — Algeria’s leader on Wednesday ordered all elementary and high schools closed for 10 days because of surging COVID-19 infections in the North African country and authorities tightened entry requirements at airports.

The decision by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to cancel classes starting Thursday came after an emergency meeting Wednesday of the Council of Ministers, members of the COVID-19 scientific committee and the country’s security officials.

The presidential statement said university staff and health authorities should decide themselves whether to continue with in-person classes.

Algeria is battling infections from both the delta variant infections and the fast-spreading omicron variant. On Wednesday, heath officials reported a daily record of 1,359 omicron cases and 12 deaths.

Tebboune urged officials to set a “robust testing structure” in public health facilities and in private laboratories. — Agencies