The Democratic Republic of Congo's justice ministry has freed 1,200 prisoners in new measures to decongest prisons and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Seven hundred of the prisoners have been released from the Makala Prison in the capital, Kinshasa, one of the country's most overcrowded jails.

More inmates will be freed and the minister has urged magistrates and judges to only jail those involved in serious crimes like murder and rape.

DR Congo has confirmed 180 cases of coronavirus, including 18 deaths.

The government has imposed a two-week lockdown in the Gombe suburb of Kinshasa.