Malawi brings in strict new curbs on life to fight Covid-19
Malawi government has outlined strict new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people and that Police and local authorities will have powers to disperse gatherings and wearing face masks is one mandatory in public places in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Announcing the new rules at a news conference in Lilongwe on Sunday morning, Attorney General Chikosa Silungwe said with effect from August 8 2020, pubs will open from 2pm to 8pm on takeaway basis and so too restaurants.
Silungwe said the rules have been guided by public health experts.
“What these rules have done is to convert those measures into legal framework, for purposes of enforcement,” said the Attorney General.
Other steps include barring traffic police from touching a driver’s license or any other documents.
All markets, shops and businesses that are in close proximity to hospitals have been ordered to close.
The government also has banned public gatherings, such as weddings, parties and bridal showers. But funerals attended by immediate family members – n0t more than 50 people -are allowed.
The restrictions come as Malawi continues to confirm increasing cases of Covid-19, with an average of 100 cases per day. As of Saturday, Malawi had registered 4,575 coronavirus cases with 137 deaths.
Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda has expressed worry over the local transmission of Covid-19 which is now at over 60%.
The Minister has called on Malawians to follow preventive measures that government has put in place to fight Covid-19 saying there is need for everyone to take responsibility in fighting the virus pandemic.
Chiponda said “everyone should be treated as a potential carrier for Covid-19 and there is need to avoid social gatherings, wash hands frequently, wear masks and observe social distance.“
The news conference was addressed by Chiponda along with the Presidential task force on Covid-19 co-chair John Phuka, Attorney General Silungwe and Minister of Information Gospel Kazako addressing the media on the rules that government has gazzeted to fight Covid-19 which came into effect on August 8.
Health activist Maziko Matemba has since asked government to consider cushioning vulnerable families with reusable face masks in order for the country to win the battle against novel coronavirus.
“So having gazetted the laws to help contain further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, there is need for the government to support vulnerable families to access some essential commodities like cloth face masks and soaps for them to follow measures as gazetted.
“Government needs to seriously consider in the next budget that vulnerable groups are caushioned by among others removing tax on cloth used to make face masks. This can help to reduce prices of these essential materials for fighting COVID-19,” said Matemba.
Meanwhile, government already had signed a memorandum of understanding with local mask manufacturers to start distributing free masks to those who cannot afford them.
In the meantime, Phuka said, law enforcement officers have been given permission to use “reasonable force” to enforce compliance.
Those found without masks will be fined K10,000 or three months in prison.
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Trying hard not to call it a lockdown, just to be different. Zitsilu za wanthu
Silungwe knows not about church.how does he expect only 10 people to meet. That means the pastor’s family only
It was good to have 100 and observe all hygiene measures and social distancing.
You mean all the big Churches we have should accommodate no more than 10 people? Some laws are darn silly. I am sure you will come up with an amendment without undue delay.
Covid-19: The Movie: masks are very important. Ask Collins magalasi and dorothy shonga!
Hope all the necessary cushions are in place to help the poor who in Mbalachanda can afford a mask let alone water to wash hands every eh 20,minutes. Secondly hope also that there is legislation yo fall to when people take government to task
Now you are in government,mwayamba kutivuta.know that you are there because of the demo and prayers.The same demo and prayers will take you out of that sit.
Ai sizikugwirizana
disperse public gatherings where there are more than 10 people. This story has a picture where there are atleast 12 people. May be thats why they were hiding in a building otherwise they deserved to be dispersed. kkkkkkk.
public gatherings if there are more than 10. The story above has a photo of atleast 12 people. I just hope they were dispersed.
kkkkkkkkkk,koma yaaaaaa
You say parliamentary gathering essential in your law and church gathering not essential that it should have less than 10. Is it logical. What’s wrong with you people?
I doubt you can enforce this,antu Ali ndi njala mufuna atseke ma shop awo? Muwadyesa ndi inuyo?wina walipila kale wapanga booking ya chikwati k1000000 budget mufuna ingopita madzi basi? Muwona ngati ndrama timango tola eti? Yelekexani kutseka muwone it will be another nsundwe tragedy KU nsonkano kumakala antu ambili,a peaceful wedding can easily turn into a riot…you have been warned.
Police in Lilongwe has already started collecting fine since yesterday ( Saturday) night. They are not supposed to touch licenses and papers , but they can touch the fine money and count it. This seems odd
The government should have given sufficient notice and educated the public about wearing masks. How does one expect to go and buy masks overnight and that to on a Saturday / Sunday. If there is a family of four , one needs to arrange the funds to buy the masks. What about people in the rural areas, where are they going to buy the masks from. In France the police go around and give out free masks to the public and then caution them . The same system should have been adopted in Malawi. Ministry of Health guidelines say that the masks has to be three layerd. who in Malawi makes three layerd mask. Next the police will check if you masks is three layerd , if not you still land up paying the fine as you will be wearing a single layerd mask or a disposable mask. Can some one educate us as what are we supposed to wear
Secondly wearing masks is compulsory at gatherings and public places. What about people inside the car . Do children also have to wear masks.
MASKS FOR MALAWI have committed to make and distribute 17, 000,000-00 masks for which they got money from donors. What is going to happen to these masks- are they going to be waste.
By the time government gives out free masks, the police would have collected millions of kwacha
Dear Sir, please give more publicity via radio and TV and inform people that wearing of masks is compulsory and please give some time before you enforce the law.
Alternatively , the police should charge Mk 500-00 as fine and give one free mask
What doe sit mean ” shops, markets and businesses close proximity ” to hospital. For example Shifa Hospital in Blantyre is in the first floor, does it mean that the registrar’s office on the second floor should be closed. Should the shops downstairs and KFC also close. What about next door shops and shops opp the hospital
Good points you have raised here, boss. 👌
Doubtful if there will be any enforcement.Cheating doners that Government is doing something.
Now that we have a new government in place I don’t mind these restrictions, in fact it long overdue…….
These restrictions if followed, combined with the warm weather which is on the way, the coronavirus cases by end of September will be almost zero…..
I agree with the healthy activist that the government should consider issuing free masks to those who can not afford to buy one, use strategic points to distribute the face masks like at the market entrance gates, hospital entrance gates, and bus depots….
Izi sizichitika ndipo sizingachitike. Unless mukufuna kuyishosha. Most markets are near hospital. E.g Limbe market near Limbe health centre. Mukuwona ngati angatseke?. Malototu.
Who told you warm weather is associated with lower transmission of corona virus?? Wharsapp doctors
In europe there’s summer now but the spread of virus hasn’t slowed down. In fact they are experiencing second wave
Iwe ndimatogadi eti. U r a big fool, its already late and this government is in deep shit. U played around with the virus that campaign period and yafala kale. All these measure are just a window dressing issue. Ukuona ngati covid ndi mm’bale wako, ai ndithu, Laz and his government will c mbwandza.