The Namibian president has banned ministers and government officials from buying new cars for five years so that public money can be spent on dealing with coronavirus.

A tweet from President Hage Geingob’s office says the ban will save $10.7m (£8.8m). 

It adds that the money will instead be spent on “urgent priorities, specifically at a time when the country is dealing with the health and economic implications of Covid-19”.

The president has also capped the fuel allowance.

There have been 16 recorded cases of coronavirus in the country and no deaths. The country has a population of 2.5 million.