The US embassy in Kabul has ordered strict confinement of personnel over a surge in Covid cases at a mission already under pressure ahead of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

A notice sent by embassy management said that 114 people at the sprawling and heavily guarded mission have contracted Covid-19 amid a third wave in Afghanistan and one has died, with several others medically evacuated, AFP reports.

The embassy said it was confining all staff to their quarters except to get food or to exercise or relax alone, with all team sports and most indoor meetings prohibited.

“Failure to abide by the mission's Covid policies will result in consequences up to and including removal from post on the next available flight,” the notice said.