Asian Business Community imposes 2nd partial lockdown over ‘risk’ of virus spread
Following the rapid surge in coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic cases within Malawi the Asian Business Community of Blantyre, Limbe and Zomba has imposed a second partial lockdown to contain the the spread of the pandemic.
Effective Monday midnight for one month, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask when around people they do not live with and alway in public places.
All shops, factories, offices and other places of work are mandated to enact mandatory face covering for the protection of all employees and a spot fine of K20,000 shall be imposed on all members of the community going against this directive.
The directive also says all domestic employees (high risk due to minibus travel) should be given face masks to be worn whilst performing duties in the home and social gatherings exceeding 20 people are not allowed.
A maximum of 40 people only shall be allowed for weddings and funerals and only to proceed with social distancing, mask measures and hand hygiene measures strictly in place.
“A fine of K1 million will be imposed on any person facilitating this gathering in breach of the number regulation,” says the statement signed by chairperson Faizal Aboo and his deputy Dr. Parth Patel.
“Everyone over the age of 60 years must stay within the confines of their home and only leave home for emergencies and all those with existing underlying health conditions to stay within the confines of their home and only leave home for emergencies.”
The community further says only breadwinner of the family may leave the house to go to work while non-breadwinners may only go out to get medical supplies, food/ essential household items.
There will also be a night curfew shall be placed in from 8pm to 6am during which members of the community should not leave their houses unless in the event of an emergency.
Restaurants are requested to operate on a takeaway only basis after 6pm and must close at 9pm latest while Shisha cafes and gyms are requested to be totally closed.
The community is requested to contact ABC Royal Palm COVID-19 isolation centre’s hotline on 0881226001 if they are feeling unwell with any Coronavirus symptoms such a fever, cough, headache, tiredness, loss of smell and taste, upset stomach, cold shivers, breathing problems, etc.
”The ABC Taskforce wishes to emphasize that all persons are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, observe good sanitary and hand hygiene practices and ensure that there is social distancing at all times.
“It is also a moral responsibility to inform anyone you have been in close contact with if you are tested positive for Coronavirus.
“We appreciate this directive may be challenging and will affect our lifestyle in one way or another; it was reached after consultations with medical professionals on the rate of new infections and the projected growth of cases in our community,” says the statement.
In April, the ABC also rolled out a partial lockdown of 14 days that was effected from April 9 for a period of 14 days ending April 23.
The ABC have assisted in the fight against the pandemic by spending over K600 million to buy various equipment that was donated to various health institutions.
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What I find disturbing in all this is that the chairman just a few weeks ago hosted a lavish wedding party in excess of 1,000 guests. Hypocrisy of the highest order at play here, then a few days later he comes up trying to be a saint. Not on at all
How many governments are in Malawi one for Asians and their laws and other for!
I wonder weather It happens the same in India really stupid isn’t it why we Africans are molested in our own lands foreigners must respect indigenous nationals.
The problem could actually be our political leaders who pay more attention to foreigners and difrencaise its own people, and allow those foreigners to do all businesses and it’s nationals remain only consumers.
So you have a curfew between 8pm and 6am yet the bloody restaurant is open till 9pm… Something’s will never change in Malawi nah???SMFH
If it’s a lockdown within their own community, how does it affect me who happens not to be an Asian? It’s a house order within the Asian Business Community and if imposing fines suits them, who cares?
These Indians r hypocrites and racists to the core. While they protect each other they expose poor Malawians who work for them. Many work without proper PPE & not allowed to rest at all. I have seen Indians who go to the extend of giving their employees medicine because they dint want them to loose a single minute from work. These pple must be taught that this country is governed by regulations & laws.
Governed by regulations? This is the only country in the world where when there is a pandemic minibuses are allowed to operate with packed passengers, 3000 people gathered during campaign for elections , bars flouting regulations with no enforcement, billions of kwacha received for covid 19 but squandered by government officials with no accountability,
Mr Fazia you are a hypocrite!! Didn’t your daughter get married one week ago and attendance were 350+ people. Why didn’t you tend to your own rules. Now you want to contain the virus? Practice what you preach!
How many governments are there in Malawi? Are these guys a government unto themselves, even imposing fines?
Chakwera tulo. He is pleasing corrupt courts too much at the expense of Malawian lives. Matenda amakhalaso ndi injunction? Let the mwenyes do what can save them from the Chakwera pandemic. Little does this learner president Chakwera know that he is risking his job by not being proactive in the fight against the Corona virus.
Look at the picture, none of them is putting on a mask despite having an ABC Covid-19 task Force Caption behind themselves
These dirty bustards need to be brought down to their level. Who do they think they are to impose a lockdown? Didn’t the courts not stop the government from doing so or do they think they are a govt themselves? Under what powers are they going to it and impose their so called fines? What will they do with non compliants to their lockdown and fines, and where will the money go? These idiots need to be arrested for illegally bringing in their stupid lockdown.
These only applies to the Asians as the government is not doing enough to spread the virus. Look at the minibuses they are packed with commuters with no social distancing. The problem with Malawians is that they don’t take anything seriously until it’s too late. The daily numbers are rising and yet we have only conducted a fraction of the tests of what is required. When the rest of the world is easing restrictions here in Malawi the COVID 19 has barely started and we haven’t reached the pick yet so you can’t blame the Asians if they are trying… Read more »
Gulu la amwenye organization kuchita kuposa boma
Boma analephera tu . Kudya ma kobiri anapasidwa by donors for COVID 19