Gabon's Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekale has eased lockdown restrictions in the capital, Libreville, and three neighbouring municipalities.

The government has instead imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew and allowed shops to reopen. Schools and places of worship will remain closed.

Movement out of the capital has also been restricted to avoid the possible spread of coronavirus to other provinces.

The prime minister said the decision was intended to avoid "social destabilization" if people were unable to earn a living, according to AFP news agency.

"We are approaching the peak of the epidemic, which could come between the end of May and mid-June," he was quoted by AFP as saying.

Gabon has so far confirmed 211 cases of coronavirus including three deaths.