President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has ordered that all schools be closed for the next three weeks amid the rising of Corona virus cases.
The president made the announcement during a National Address on Sunday which was conducted virtually. He however said students in boarding schools should remain in their campuses until health authorities assess the severity of infection in those schools to determine whether it is safe for those students to go home.
He further said that the Covid-19 Taskforce will be responsible for any additional support the schools will need to manage the students’ transition.
On the same development, Minister of Justice is expected to gazette tomorrow other new guidelines recommended by the Ministerial Committee that the Vice-President Dr Saulos Chilima convened during the week.
The new rules are and not limited to the following:
1. All drinking places must close no later than 8pm, and must not allow the consumption of their goods on their premises. The same applies to all places of business. This will be strictly enforced.
2.Markets must close no later than 5pm, and all merchants and customers must wear a mask at all times.
3. All buildings used by the public, whether for business or public service, must be disinfected no less than once a week, and must be fitted with handwashing facilities at the entrance and exits.
4. Any person found in public by law enforcement authorities without a mask will be fined.
5. No person must be found wandering around socially between 9pm and 5am.
6. Employers must reorganize their employees to work in shifts if the work requires physical presence, and to work from home for the next three weeks if it does not.
8. Religious gatherings and all gatherings in general must have no more than 50 people under the strictest Covid-19 compliance certified and regulated by the local Council.
In tomorrow’s daily briefing, the Minister of Health will outline the other regulations to be enforced after they have been gazetted.
