Malawi State President Professor Peter Mutharika has declared the country a State of Disaster following COVID-19 threat.
 |
| President Peter Mutharika |
“Due to the threat of Coronavirus and the urgent need to seriously manage it, I have decided to declare a State of Disaster in the country.” Said Mutharika
Consequently, his government has put several measures to combat the spread of the virus.
“All schools, Colleges including technical colleges, both public and private universities, should be closed by Monday, 23rd March 2020. My Government is restricting public gatherings to less than 100 people forthwith.” He announced
He said these restrictions apply to all gatherings including weddings funerals, church, congregations, rallies and government meetings among others.
“The national security apparatus has been ordered into action to enforce these restrictions.” He warned
Measures include; suspension of hosting international meetings and banned public servants from attending regional and international meetings hosted by affected countries, and that this ban include travel on sports related activities.
Malawians have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to the affected countries as the country has also banned travel of foreign nationals from such countries. However, SADC countries are exempted.
"Returning residents and nationals from coronavirus affected countries will be subjected to self or institutional quarantine" indicated Mutharika adding that Government has temporarily suspend issuance of visas to citizens from affected countries.
He has promised that Government will continue to monitor and review the situation and the restrictions from time to time within the next 30 days.
The Malawi President said while the interventions being implemented have a negative bearing on people’s right to enjoy some of their Constitutional human rights, he hoped that in pursuance of the greater national good, the country will be able to reasonably limit such rights within what is attainable in Constitutional framework.
Measures include; suspension of hosting international meetings and banned public servants from attending regional and international meetings hosted by affected countries, and that this ban include travel on sports related activities.
Malawians have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to the affected countries as the country has also banned travel of foreign nationals from such countries. However, SADC countries are exempted.
"Returning residents and nationals from coronavirus affected countries will be subjected to self or institutional quarantine" indicated Mutharika adding that Government has temporarily suspend issuance of visas to citizens from affected countries.
He has promised that Government will continue to monitor and review the situation and the restrictions from time to time within the next 30 days.
The Malawi President said while the interventions being implemented have a negative bearing on people’s right to enjoy some of their Constitutional human rights, he hoped that in pursuance of the greater national good, the country will be able to reasonably limit such rights within what is attainable in Constitutional framework.
He then warned politicians to stop politicizing the issue of COVID-19 response and urged all Malawians to stop spreading rumors and fake news on social media with regard to Coronavirus.
“Coronavirus is not a joking matter.” He told politicians and to the general public “Stop creating panic and stop spreading rumors.”
Mutharika has further encouraged people to turn to God during this difficult time.
"Let’s join together as we pray for God’s heart of love, mercy, and truth to dwell in us and show us how to face the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Let’s find comfort in God’s word from 2 Chronicles 7:14… and it reads…. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’’.
We should not panic. Let us all unite in Prayer of faith to a God that answers prayer. With spiritual grace and scientific resilience, together, we shall overcome this epidemic." He urged
Let’s find comfort in God’s word from 2 Chronicles 7:14… and it reads…. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’’.
We should not panic. Let us all unite in Prayer of faith to a God that answers prayer. With spiritual grace and scientific resilience, together, we shall overcome this epidemic." He urged
Before announcing the restrictions Mutharika indicated that his government has developed a National Response Plan with a total budget of K15 billion in which his government has already provided K2.5 billion as immediate funding towards the response.
He then appealed to development partners and private sector to support the gap on government response plan.
He indicated that government has intensified screening of people in all border posts and airports and assured all Malawians that government is doing everything possible to prevent the virus from getting into the country.
The Malawi leader further dispelled two myths about Coronavirus that black people are immune to the disease and that the warm climate of Africa is protective against the virus.
He also recommended that people should stop handshakes and maintain social distance with people as some of the precautionary measures.
He also recommended that people should stop handshakes and maintain social distance with people as some of the precautionary measures.
 |
| COVID-19 Cases in Africa |
World Health Organisation (WHO) has since indicated that more than 600 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 34 countries in Africa as of 19 March, compared with 147 cases one week ago. Although the region has seen a significant increase in confirmed cases recently, there are still fewer cases than in other parts of the world.
Highlights
Seven new countries/territories/areas (African Region [3], Eastern Mediterranean Region [1], European Region [1], and Region of the Americas [2]) have reported cases of COVID-19
As of March 19, 2020
COOVID-19 Situation in Numbers As of March 19, 2020
Globally
- 209 839 confirmed (New 16 556)
- 8778 deaths (New 828)
Western Pacific Region
- 92 333 confirmed (New 488)
- 3377 deaths (New 20)
European Region
- 87 108 confirmed (New 10 221)
- 4084 deaths (New 591)
South-East Asia Region
- 657 confirmed (New 119)
- 23 deaths (New 14)
Eastern Mediterranean Region
- 19 518 confirmed (New 1430)
- 1161 deaths (New 150)
Region of the Americas
- 9144 confirmed (New 4166)
- 119 deaths (New 50)
African Region
- 367 confirmed (New 132)
- 7 deaths (New 3)
No comments:
Post a Comment