In a bid to contain the COVID-19 spread, Afghanistan will soon release at least 10,000 prisoners over the age of 55 years, officials said. Prisoners, including women and children, will be released on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's decree. The Afghan government said that those being released will "not pose a major threat".

Those released will not include members of Islamist militant groups the Taliban or Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, officials said.

The process will be completed within 10 days, they added.

"Prisoners with serious health problems, women, children, the elderly above 55 years will benefit from the decree," said Attorney General Mohammad Farid Hamidi.

International aid groups have raised concerns about the possibility of the coronavirus spreading in prisons across Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has reported 91 cases of coronavirus and three deaths.

According to TOLO News, the Afghan Public Health Minister said that prisoner release was the only precaution in the absence of 'vaccine or treatment'.