The country on 4 June embarked on the third phase of its efforts to lift its coronavirus lockdown.

Inter-city and regional travel has resumed, while air, sea and land borders will reopen on 27 June.

New tourism sector-specific protocols have been developed to allow hotels to reopen, with hotel and travel agency staff in Tunisia are being trained to adopt the new rules.

Now, the country’s national tourist office (TNTO) has issued a new video detailing its plans to restore its tourism economy.

Arrivals will be subject to temperature checks, and will have their luggage and passports disinfected, while transfer vehicles will be disinfected before every trip.

A second temperature check will take place upon arrival at the hotel; hotels will operate at 50% capacity with social distancing will mandatory throughout.

Hand sanitiser will be available, and all surfaces will be regularly disinfected. Rooms will be sterilised and ventilated three hours before guests arrive.

Hotels’ enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will be extended to all public or common areas, including bars, restaurants, pools, gyms and any wellness offerings.

Activities where social distancing cannot be maintained will not resume. It will also be enforced on beaches. Face masks will also be compulsory in enclosed spaces like museums, and other potentially more crowded areas.

In a separate video message, tourism minister Mohamed Ali Toumi said every precaution was being taken to protect guests, in compliance with international standards.

He unveiled a new "ready and safe" stamp denoting premises that are following a set of guidelines incorporating protocols set out by the World Health Organization, and guided by tourism professionals in the country.