ALGIERS - Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad on Wednesday called for people to follow preventive measures against the COVID-19 when more than five million students returned to primary schools on the day, the official APS news agency reported.

Djerad called on parents of students to "support the educational and administrative staff to preserve the health of the students" after more than seven months of school closure due to the COVID-19.

The colleges and high schools in the country will resume classes on Nov. 4. Algerian government announced the closure of schools and universities on March 12.

Algeria, which reported its first COVID-19 case on Feb. 25, has been resuming economic and commercial activities since June 7.

China and Algeria have offered mutual help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early February, Algeria sent medical donations to help China combat the virus, and China sent two batches of medical aid to Algeria on March 27 and April 15.

A Chinese medical team arrived in Algeria on May 14 for a 15-day mission to help fight the coronavirus by sharing China's experience in curbing the spread of the contagious disease.