Mutharika Yet to Speak on COVID-19

As many leaders have addressed citizens on coronavirus (Covid-19) and provided tips on dealing with it, President Peter Mutharika has maintained silence on the issue.

Earlier this week, State House Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani said that the President is yet to give his official position on the matter but he urged people to follow tips from the Ministry of Health.

“Should there be a message from the President on the subject you will be informed. Please let’s encourage people to follow the health tips and the updates on coronavirus that the Ministry of Health is issuing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malawi Health Equity Network (Mhen) Executive Director George Jobe has since warned that without decisive policies, Malawi will find it difficult to control the outbreak.

He added that government should apply stronger measures to prevent the virus, including travel bans, especially to and from coronavirus affected countries.

“Malawi has come up with a list of countries from which people are put on self-quarantine or observation. Government should ban people from such countries from entering Malawi unless they are traveling for essential services such as healthcare service provision or security, he explained.

Government was yesterday expected to announce new health guidelines that would include measures on public gatherings, self-quarantine and promotion of behaviourial change to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

Malawi’s neighbors, Zambia and Tanzania have recorded two and one case respectively and they have imposed strict measures to ensure that the virus is not spread.

Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus urging African countries to prepare for the worst of Covid-19 as cases increase on the continent.