Community expresses worry over Tanzanian truck drivers
Communities surrounding National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) depot in Mzuzu are living in fear. They say the Tanzanian truck drivers who are delivering fuel to the area have high chances to spread Covid-19 to the locals.
The communities who threatened to take the law into their own hands if government fails to sort out the problem said all truck drivers should be quarantined for 14 days as recommended because they are coming from a country affected by Covid-19.
They said the drivers who are not following the Covid-19 prevention measures interact with the locals at the trading center.
“NOCMA must do something. Our lives are in danger to Covid-19. How do they allow these drivers to reach here without being quarantined? They should prioritize our lives, not fuel,” said Maria Chavula, wife to group village headman Zatuwa.
Chavula said NOCMA should put in measures that will ensure the drivers are following the Covid-19 restrictions while at the depot.
“They buy groceries, food, beer among others in our shops. Apart from that, the drivers chat with the locals especially girls which is easy to spread the Covid-19 if they are positive,” she added.
Speaking to this reporter, a number of drivers confirmed that they enter the country without being quarantined.
The drivers openly said, health officials at Songwe border post only check their body temperature, but they are not quarantined before proceed to Mzuzu.
“That is not our problem. It is your government failure to do that. Do you think we cannot follow the procedures if asked to do so? We just follow orders and that is to drop fuel here in Mzuzu,”
They could not disclose whether they are being quarantined in their country when coming to Malawi.
A health official at Songwe border post also confirmed the development saying “we don’t have testing kits here and we just see if they have related Covid-19 symptoms or not apart from knowing their temperature.”
Meanwhile,sources at NOCMA Mzuzu depot told Nyasa Times that health officials have been summoned by Minister of Health Jappie Mhango who was expected to visit the area Tuesday.
The minister’s visit follows Nyasa Times investigation on the matter.
Northern region has not registered any Coronavirus case which has affected 18 people and killed 2 people.
Tanzania has 254 Covid-19 cases with 10 deaths.
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Dont talk about drivers now,its too late to close borders of Malawi. All organisations in Malawi except Nkhoma Synod and Livingstonia Synod have not received K2b each. All Organization up to KUJA MUMAOPA KUJA LERO BOMA LAPHWASULAKO
Then they want to force us to be hiding in our houses?
I think Government is playing politics with the COVID matter. They are locking down the Country to its own nationals and leaving foreigners even from infected areas to freely loom the country
Looks like anyone coming in is Covid 19 carrier. What’s happening at obvious entry points? Isn’t this where testing should be prioritised? You would expect the problem to be nicked in the bud before entrants into the country do damages.
Kodi ndimayesa mumati covid kulibe izi ndi ndale chabe?
Kupewa nthendayi usadalire boma koma pawekha upange zomwe boma likunena. Komansotu kuno kumudzi makamaka Blantyre ndi Lilongwe nthendayi yafika povuta nde tikabwera kuNyikako muzitipanga quarantine 14 days?🏃🏃🏃
Government without President. How can you have an entry point without testing people coming into the country.
kodi mukuwopachani Mesa mukumanenakuti APM akunama matenda kulibe nkumati akungofuna fresh election ichedwe ambwenumbwunu bwanjinanga kodi ndale mumakhuta? if tanzania there is no lock down malawi there is no lock down so wayawaya basi business must go on as normal chifukwa amalawi inu hrdc ndi opposition partys yakuphuzisani makani
kukoza ma depot eni eni bwa,ndi timiseu tathuti ngati njila za ngol9.
nde pano adzazadi ma truck nanga mmene alemela mabwanawa kugula.ma truck ndi a ncaca omwe!!! miseu yathu not strong enough to hold these yrucks and mark my word , check these roads in 2 yrs time
Ignorance is bliss isn’t it?