Malawi govt gets tough with Covid-19 measures as fears grips over rising cases
The Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 has said government will now enforce a requirement that no one is seen in public space without a face mask on and Malawi police will enforce the restrictions on opening and closing times for pubs as well as public gatherings and transport service to observe the carrying capacity that had been put in place.
Briefing journalists in Lilongwe on Thursday, Minister of Health Khumbize Kadondo Chiponda, who is also Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 co-chairperson, noted with concern the increase in numbers on Covid-19 cases hence the strict enforcement of the measures in order to contain the further spread of the virus.
“Staring from today, Government is going to strictly enforce Covid-19 prevention measures as gazetted last year and nothing will change.
“We will make sure that everyone is taking part in preventing and containing further spread of Coronavirus,” Chiponda said.
Chiponda said the rising cases of the virus have seen the country exhausting 50 percent of isolation facilities space.
She disclosed that as one way of preventing the spread of the virus, Government has found a place at Mapanga Police Training School where all people coming from South Africa will be quarantined.
“All returnees from South Africa, if found positive, will be quarantine at Mapanga Police Training isolation centre,” Chiponda said.
Meanwhile, Government has increased the number of testing centres where people can go for testing.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Charles Kalemba, said all public places are directed to put and enforce Covid-19 prevention measures.
“We are enforcing wearing of face masks and use of hand washing facilities with soap at all times in public service institutions.
“Trading premises including mobile markets and on road side vending sites need to have water and sanitation buckets at all times. All gatherings including church services and weddings among others, should not exceed 100 people,” Kalemba said.
All bottle stores, pubs, bars and clubs shall be open from 14:00hrs to 20:00hrs for take aways only.
Dead bodies shall be laid to rest within 24hrs and no communal preparation of food shall be allowed during funeral ceremonies.
Since the breakout of Coronavirus, Malawi has recorded 7, 611 Covid-19 cases of with 203 deaths.
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Been to Kameza for testing
The facility looks did oriented
No hand sanitiser,no social distance,arrived at 8 o’clock for testing upto 10 no one was tested,we had to leave due to the congestion where people were seating so close to each and risked contamination, before the honorable start to cooment that they are more test facilties ,they should make a surprise visit at the centred and witness for them selves we r still very back wards
#Biopolitics vs #Biopower in the 21st Century
Kulisani Ndendezo cuz last year mumati there’s no corona komanso munakatenga court injunction yolesa lockdown. Mukupangyi si lockdown in disguise? Mukunamatu no need for lockdown chifukwa cha anthu omwalira chifukwa cha Covid-19 0.000011% yokhai. Think again tizimwabe mpaka m’banda kucha
It is as if COVID19 came yesterday.Lack of leading by example☠️☠️☠️
Just wait to see which Ministers will be dropped. That’s when you will know the true colours of Chipeta Chewa.
Madam Minister you have relaxed for so long. While you try to observe the COVID protocols the President doesn’t and this is the challenge you will be facing. You shouldn’t have allowed the President to meet Madanna at close proximity without each of them wearing a mask. That was a bad example given by the President. We don’t want another Trump here in Malawi. This pandemic has a very strong political dimension and one day soon, you will suffer the consequences as our governors.
Thats what we need Hon Minister. Dont just sing songs on Corona, take decisive actions. Strengthen the visit to local markets like Bwalo la Njovu and its sorround areas like WAKAWAKA , Kaliyeka, Biwi and Kawale Markets where people ignore masks. Arrest them mukawaike ku Mikuyu for a day after which they will know you are very serious about combating the virus. Mukawasekelera anthu muona kuti nthendayo igwira anthu ambiri including ministers. Ena ndi awa a Lucius Banda angotuluka kumene ku Mwayi wathu.
They are now taking it serious, because heads of government and politicians have been affected. This Tonse government is just trash. Remember Chilima and Joyce Banda telling people to hug each other
Government gets touch yet the one in the photo is not wearing a mask. If you cannot wear a mask in a public function, how do you expect o Nabanda in the village to wear a mask? God will take care of us and not you government people who say loads of things but you fail to enforce them. All you are looking for are allowances and nothing else.
Mrs Minister, start with the person standing next to you. He should put on a mask. Then go to Lazalo and his girlfriend Monica, they should be wearing masks all the time. Saulo leads by example on this