By Priscilla Phiri:
The Ministry of Health together with the Presidential Covid-19 task force after reviewing the progress of Covid-19 in the country has lifted the mandatory Covid-19, the lifting of the restrictions was announced at a press briefing held on Friday Lilongwe,
Speaking at the press briefing the Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda stated that Malawi is still in the midst of the fight of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Currently we have 146 of people that have tested positive with Covid 19, and 4 admitted with Covid however the 142 that have tested positive show mild signs of Covid-19,” she said.
Chiponda also highlighted that the country has registered 0.5% in Covid-19 cases which shows progress which has prompted the lifting of the mandatory restrictions.
“With the progress we have seen in the country and the help of our researchers at College of Medicine but also the World health Organisation (WHO) we have been able to study the Covid-19 trend and thought it wise to lift the mandatory Covid-19 restrictions which were put in place to combat the pandemic,
Some of which are the mandatory wearing of masks, and the restricted number of people gathered in public functions from 500 to as much as people can,” she explained.
The Minister also emphasized that Malawians should be responsible in observing the necessary measures to combat the pandemic due to the ongoing cases that have been recorded in the country.
“Everyone should take the responsibility to ensure that masks are worn in all public gatherings as well as public transport, observe social distancing and washing of hands should also be emphasized as it will help in the prevention of cholera,
All travellers who are not vaccinated should produce negative PCA results within 72 hours of travelling and for those vaccinated valid Covid-19 vaccine certificates should be produced at points of entry and all children below the age of 11 can have entry without conditions,” she said.
She further commended religious leaders for the efforts rendered in encouraging congregants to take Covid-19 vaccines and following Covid-19 preventative protocols during church gatherings.
Chiponda also urges the elderly, prisoners and refugees to take Covid-19 measures seriously as they are at risk of the pandemic.
Meanwhile the Minister has conformed the availability of Covid-19 vaccines such as Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and Astrazeneca and booster shots in the country and encourages Malawians not yet vaccinated to get the vaccines.
Also present at the press briefing was the of the Chairperson for the Presidential Covid-19 Task Force Dr, Chalamira Nkhoma who commended the efforts of the Ministry of Health in availing Covid 19 vaccines in all health facilities in the country.
“I would like to commend the efforts of the Ministry of Health in ensuring that vaccines are made available in the country as well as ensuring that health workers move in residential areas to make the vaccines easily accessible to all Malawians,” he said.
