Malawi army to host presidential inauguration, 100 ‘invited’ people to attend – Chakwera

President Lazarus Chakwera has disclosed that the presidential inauguration ceremony will take place at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe with a minimum of 100 invited people to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

President Chakwera: A small inauguration ceremony will be held Monday morning at Kamuzu Barracks in front of a small audience of 100 who will come strictly by invitation, while the rest of you will be able to watch it on various media platforms.–Photo by Lisa Kadango, Mana

Initially, the inauguration was scheduled to take place at Bingu National Stadium to coincide with Malawi 56th Independence Day celebrations on July 6.

But addressing a news conference on Sunday afternoon from his private residence Area 6 in Lilongwe, President Chakwera said he has cancelled Independence Day celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chakwera said he made the decision considering the spike of Covid-19 infection across the country.

“I have received new information in the last 24 hours that has persuaded me to cancel the event altogether. By the time I addressed you at the start of the day yesterday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases was 1,498. By the time the same day ended, that number stood at 1,613, representing a rise of over 7 percent.

“Of the 115 new confirmed cases, 64% are local transmissions, and they have occurred in all three regions of the country, from the southernmost district of Nsanje to the northernmost district of Chitipa,” said Chakwera.

The new Malawi leader, who took an oath of office last Sunday  presided by Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, said the financial resources earmarked for the celebrations will be channeled towards the Covid-19 interventions.

He has since ordered a scaled down inauguration at Malawi Defence Force (MDF) barracks in Lilongwe where he will receive a sword of command  in front of a small audience of 100 people  “who will come strictly by invitation,” while the rest of Malawians will be able to watch it on various media platforms.

Chakwera urged the public to continue observing precautionary measures.

“We are all at risk of this infection, every one of us. That includes you, your children, your spouse, your neighbours, and your colleagues at work. It also includes me and the State Vice President. None of us is immune to infection. That means all of us need to take this pandemic seriously,” said Chakwera.

He has also urged those with signs of infection to go into self isolation.

Malawi has seen a recent spike in new infections as data shows cases have more than doubled in the past two weeks to reach nearly 1, 500 with 17 deaths.

Chakwera indicated restrictions on movement were imminent, saying new measures would be announced on Tuesday when he appointed a new health minister.

The President said the community transmission has escalated in the last three weeks.

“We’re in a worse situation today than we were three months ago. Coronavirus is spreading everywhere in Malawi and it’s spreading to kill,” said Chakwera.

He has called for strengthening measures of hygiene.

“I remind you to maintain a social distance of at least 1 meter from everyone at all times, wear a mask whenever you are in public spaces or public buildings, limit the number of people who can visit you at home, limit your travel in and out of your district as much as you can, and wash your hands with soap at least every hour,” he said.

The 65-year-old was sworn in last Sunday for a five-year term after defeating former president Peter Mutharika in a run-off vote after courts annulled the result of the previous election.

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IndianOcean
IndianOcean
3 years ago

I bet the reason why H.E. suddenly cancelled the 20,000-people inauguration is not like what he said in this news report. News should be read in sequence. Before H.E. cancelled the inauguration, there was a piece of news saying that the VP’s personal secretary died of COVID-19 and that several other political figures have also been infected. Thus it’s crystal clear that it is because people around him are being infected and he sees it that he finally deems containing the spread of the virus a priority. Not becasue 100 more patients were confirmed. It is sad to read news… Read more »

Malawi belong to the citizens

DPP imported more coronavirus from South Africa, chipani choipa chogawa dziko.

Tutu
Tutu
3 years ago

COVID deniers and nutters in MCP-UTM and entire Tonse have been TRIMMED to small size. Even AFORD Mwenefumbo wayiwona Corona. Let the fire keep burning so that people can learn one or two lessons.

Kambewa Chisale
3 years ago
Reply to  Tutu

Foseki
This Covid-19 was imported from Rsa by DPP lead generation

Malawi walero
Malawi walero
3 years ago

More fire ku executive ya boma igwireko ambiri chonde ambuye. Mwayamba kuopa chani pano? Mwadziwa liti kuti kuli Covid? Mliri osaona kuti uyu ali ndi makhobiri munya simunati🔥💥🔥🔥🔥

Gule Wankulu
Gule Wankulu
3 years ago

Kodi abwana, Your Excellency, sir, ku Kamuzu Palace mukalowako liti?

Oh, sorry, ndinayiwala. Ndamva kuti akuchitako “disinfect “. Kunachuluka nyansi za ulamuliro.

Kast
Kast
3 years ago

Chakwera this is no easy time to be president world over. When people start dying. The buck stops at you. You will have to be solid because it won’t be an easy ride. Unfortunately, you also won’t be able to lock them down. Just come up with some solid plan.

Wachiona Ndani
Wachiona Ndani
3 years ago

Boma iloooo!!!

MAPWIYA MULUPALE
MAPWIYA MULUPALE
3 years ago

Mr. Chakwera Lazaro why have you cancelled the gathering at the stadium? Is is it NOT you who said life should go on ? Mwaona chiyani? Inu anthu anakuuzani kuti COVID is real . Can mayi Joyce Banda address us ? Can Saulosi addrress us paja amati tizihagana . Let these people address us please . We are really surprised that you are cancelling the event altogether . Inu munkayesa zomwe ankakamba Jappie Mhango and Phuka ngati zocheza. lero Mwafika pochita cancel 6 July A Lazaro. Mwatani kodi? Is it chifukwa Secretary Wa Saulosi watisiya ? Muliona dziko. Mumangomva kuti… Read more »

Cairo
Cairo
3 years ago

In fact, APM should not attend and amenewa akhale nayo wokha, kupakana chitedzecho ai. Zigawanani nokha a MCP
ndi UTM and chikuyabweni nokha.

Cairo
Cairo
3 years ago

Apo thats it, u will c and simunati,u were criticising APM and the truth is now coming out.

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