Malawi announces new strict Covid-19 lockdown: Funerals to be allowed with 50 people

The Special Cabinet Committee on coronavirus (Covid-19) has announced  strict new curbs on life in Malawi  to tackle the spread of the outbreak.

Minister of Information, ICT and Civic Education Mark Botomani speaks during the presser on measures towards COVID-19 prevention-pic by Lisa Kadango
Minister of Local Government Dr Ben Malunga Phiri delivers a statement on Measures his ministry has taken as regards to COVID-19-pic by Lisa Kadango
Minister of Health Jappie Mhango confers with Minister of Local Government on measures put in place towards COVID-19 prevention -pic by Lisa Kadango

Announcing the measures, the committee chaired by Minister of Health Jappie Mhango  said the country faced a moment of national disaster  and that  government is also stopping all social events, including weddings, religious gatherings and other ceremonies – but funerals will be allowed.

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri said  among others, bars and any social gathering have been banned during the virus crisis.

The following services  are exempt from the lockdown suspension:

  • Health and sanitation services
  • Pharmaceutical and drug stores
  • Utility services and veterinary services
  • Grazing of cattle
  • Operation of maize mills.

The Cabinet Committee said funerals will still be going ahead and shall be attended by not more than 50 people.

Among the new lockdown measures, no restaurant shall be allowed to operate except on condition that they offer services on take away basis.

All mobile markets have been suspended. These include Bembeke, Thabwa and Kampepuza.

Minister Mhnago said  these measures are under  constant review and could therefore be subject to change.

Malawi was one of the last African countries to detect cases of the virus, announcing its first three on 2 April.

The number of recorded infections has since risen to eight, with one death.

Malawi has not registered any positive virus case in the last 24 hours,  Principle Secretary for Health Dr. Dan Namarika said on Thursday.

Scientists have said each person with coronavirus infects 2.5 people and that takes about five days. This means, over a period of 30 days, more than 400 people will have been infected as a result of that one person.

If a person halves their social exposure, that first infection leads to only 15 infections after 30 days.

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concerned citizen
concerned citizen
4 years ago

MOCHEDWA AND HALF MEASURES EMPLOYED.

Julius
Julius
4 years ago

Copycat from Jozi

foo
foo
4 years ago
Reply to  Julius

Did jozi not copy from the west.

Prophecy
Prophecy
4 years ago

The airports and the borders remain open😆🤣

Timve Ziti
Timve Ziti
4 years ago

In the circumstances these measures are required. However some vital info is missing in these announcements. There has to be complete clarity. 1. Does this apply to the whole country 2. Effective when. 3. For how long. This is important for planning especially in the businesses. One needs to decide how to handle the staff. Depending on the period the businesses could decide whether to lay off staff or send them on leave. This is why other countries are giving periods and then extending when necessary. Our statements are just left open and this will cause a lot of problems… Read more »

Nicholas
4 years ago

The so called Fake PHD holders kikikikiki

Curiosity
Curiosity
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas

Yes from New Jerusalem “University”. If you want one, just ask those guys for the prices of the variois PhDs.

Kalulu Wadwala
4 years ago

What about lizulu, mdeka,, mbulumbuzi, nsundwe,, ,mitundu

James Banda
James Banda
4 years ago

imagine a state funeral attended by 50 people

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