By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Government has announced the closure of primary and secondary schools due to the escalating confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Secretary to the cabinet Simon Miti says this is done to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
“Government is cognizant of the negative effects the Covid-19 has had on the learners, but measures should be taken to safeguard the lives of our learners, teachers and other staff, the closure of schools will depend on how the pandemic will evolve,” he said.
Dr Miti said in case of boarding schools, school managements are urged to keep learners in school until parents and guardians send transport and logistics for them.
“Since Covid-19 was confirmed in the country, there has been an increased use of information technology in the country, to this effect all universities and colleges will only provide online lessons, for a month subject to review,” he said.
Dr Miti also announced that places of worship will be subject to conduct a maximum of two meeting in a week of one hour duration while observing all the five Covid-19 golden rules.
“Bars, nightclubs, casinos, and taverns will not operate from Monday to Thursday but will only open from Friday to Sunday from 18:00hours to 22:00hours, law enforcement agencies are therefore directed to ensure that this measure is enforced without fail,’’ he said.
Dr Miti emphasized that if the said measures are not adhered to, government will be forced to close the institutions without fail.
“Funerals will only be held by a maximum of 50 people; social gatherings such as weddings, and kitchen parties will only be attended to by 50 people subject to certification by authorized officers and will be supervised under public health act 295, whereas eating places will only be operating on takeaway basis ” he said.
Dr Miti said that masking up in public places will be mandatory and is the responsibility of well-meaning Zambians.
