The United Nations says the Taliban in Afghanistan have issued an order, banning female national staff members from continuing to work in the country.

A UN official said on Tuesday a UN assistance group active in Afghanistan received an order by the Taliban that bans its female Afghan personnel from working.

The official said the order covers personnel in the eastern province of Nangarhar, but "would apply to the whole country."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the prohibition. He said on social media, "If this measure is not reversed, it will inevitably undermine our ability to deliver life-saving aid to the people who need it."

The Taliban have not issued any comment so far.

Last December, the Taliban issued a similar order that banned female employees of domestic and international non-governmental organizations active in the country from going to work. The Islamist group claimed some employees improperly wore their hijab scarves, as a reason.

The ban forced many non-governmental organizations to suspend their aid activities in Afghanistan.

It is normal that female workers are in charge of providing aid to Afghan women, who tend to avoid interacting with men other than their family members.

The latest order is a concern, as it will make the UN humanitarian aid mission more difficult.