Mutharika announces 21-day lockdown in Malawi to tackle coronavirus: ‘Let us unite to save lives’
President Peter Mutharika has announced – as Nyasa Times earlier reported – that government will enforce a three-week lockdown with strict new curbs on life to tackle the spread of Covid-19, a strand of coronavirus pandemic.
In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Mutharika said the 21-day lockdown will begin at midnight on Saturday, April 18 2020 and he called on the country to “comply with the measures” because he said “they are for the good of our country.”
President Mutharika said the lockdown will end on Saturday May 9, 2020, at midnight and could be extended further.
“This lockdown may be extended beyond 9th May as circumstances warrant,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika said the lockdown has come after Minister of Health Jappie Mhango has published a notice in the Malawi Gazette – a government publication that contains the formal public notices that are required by law – using powers vested in him under the Public Health Act.
In his declaration of the lockdown, the Minister outlined specific measures that will be in force during the period of the lockdown.
Malawi has, so far, 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus, mostly from individuals who arrived in the country from India, United Kingdom and elsewhere. Two deaths associated with COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, have been registered to date.
“Currently, Malawi has suffered 2 deaths. As I speak, the United States of America has lost over 23,000 lives. Italy has lost over 20 000 people. The United Kingdom has lost over 11000 lives,” said Mutharika.
He continued: “Many more countries across the world have lost many lives. All our neighbouring countries have Coronavirus cases and lives are being lost. If we are not careful, Malawi can lose up to 50 000 lives. We need to act more now.”
The Malawi leader said while on lockdown, government will continue taking actions that should save lives.
He said the actions include intensifying laboratory testing for Coronavirus.
“We have now set up an additional testing laboratory at Mzuzu Central Hospital which now brings the number of testing laboratories in the country to four,” he said.
President Mutharika also said government will be continuing with the recruitment of additional health personnel across the country.
“We have already recruited 626 healthcare workers out of 2000 announced in my previously address,” he disclosed.
The President said he will be deploying security personnel to provide border security patrols and mounting of road blocks in strategic points country wide.
He also said government will be providing personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to treat patients to health facilities in all the districts; and conducting massive awareness campaigns to ensure that members of the public are well informed on the virus pandemic.
“Fighting Coronavirus is a challenging war for everyone, everywhere. It is also a very expensive war.
“As a nation, we require about MK150 billion for the implementation of the National COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. We need to unite. “Let me once again appeal to all political leaders that we need to join our hands in fighting this Coronavirus pandemic. Noone must take advantage of the suffering of people and politicize Coronavirus. This is not a time for politics. This is a time for saving lives.
“Coronavirus is a real threat. As your President, I will do everything possible for us to save lives. Let us unite to save lives,” he said.
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Mr. APM and Jappie, to this hour you have not come up with details of the Lockdown. Time is running out, WHERE ARE THE DETAILS????? Both of you seem to be sleeping on the job!!! How do people prepare??? Was it a joke? Come on men!!!
Staying home is a good measure to prevent the spread. However, what I didn’t hear in that statement is practical advice to each individual to wear a mask to cover the mouth and nose, especially in public, and even in the home if there is a need. If a store bought mask is not available, get some fabric and have one made for each member of the family. Wash hands often during the course of the day. Stand 6 feet apart.
No problem – Malawi has money to fight COVID-19. If we are volunteery giving away 300 million kwacha to South African lawyers for the work no done, what is 150 million?
Yes APM tipex government has money but it will not pay The front line Health workers
It’s very simple. You cannot have a lockdown without any measures to soften the impact on the poor people. 80 percent of our economy is unofficial and the vendors who buy and resell goods for their daily bread will be affected very badly.The government should have considered handing out food parcels to those affected including the poor in the village otherwise it is not corona which will kill people but hunger and malnutrition will kill masses. That 500 million to be given to Sa lawyers should have been kept as an emergency fund to help the poor during the lockdown… Read more »
Bolani lockdown imeneyi isampezele babies yako ili kuchibwenzi caz anjoyako winayo…
How come this muthalika just copy from SA..? Can’t he make his own ideas..
How come a County of 20 Million Population Needs USD 200 Miilion to Fight Corona Virus is it NOT APM DPP just wants to use for Political
Elections and Corruption for the Govt Ministers and Govt Officials
This money is less it translates to 10 Kwacha per person.
We have lost over 25 brothers and sisters of albinism in this country, never i had seen this Empty Head man coming out in public with measures and guidelines. what a Wit and Hypocrite man. Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Think before you anounce Mr ,South Africa is better country ,50% of pple they rich , all poor pple they getting food from government , am here in South Africa l know how bad is , you want to kill poor malawians we knows , plz god don’t let poor malawians alone ,protect them
You know you can make a point without stating that you are in South Africa. That RSA is richer than Malawi is well known and whatever other governments are doing to mitigate the effects of lockdown is readily available on TV. Another thing spell God with capital G.
Zakhala bwino pamene mayiko ambiri akufuna kuchotsa ma lockdown awo akhoza kufuna kumayendayenda ena kuganizaso zobwera kuno. Adzasowe ufulu wa mayendedwe
Any financial assistance for businesses and people affected? Don’t just copy and paste without any plans to mitigate the suffering, otherwise this just confirms how thick you’re.