The Democratic Republic of Congo is due to begin easing strict lockdown measures on Wednesday in the capital, Kinshasa, which has nearly all of the country’s recorded cases of coronavirus.

But the authorities say that only residents in the upmarket riverside suburb of Gombe will be allowed to leave their homes.

Banks, food shops and some businesses are due to reopen, but people in the crowded poor suburbs will remain restricted.

Police checkpoints have been placed at road junctions leading into Gombe, and only essential workers will be allowed to leave or enter the enclave.

DR Congo has recorded 350 cases of the virus, and 25 deaths – but there is concern the health authorities would struggle to contain a larger outbreak of infection.