Malawi declares 21-day lockdown to contain spread of COVID-19

LILONGWE,

The Malawi government has declared a 21-day lockdown throughout the country starting from the midnight of April 18 through the midnight of May 9 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Minister of Health and Population Services Jappie Mhango, also chairperson of the Special Cabinet Committee on COVID-19, made the announcement Tuesday evening in a televised statement in the presence of President Peter Mutharika.

The president echoed the minister, stressing that the lockdown may be extended beyond May 9 as circumstances warrant.

Mutharika said, "Today, the government has declared a 21-day lockdown. It will initially be effective at midnight on Saturday, 18th April, 2020, and it will end on Saturday, 9th May, 2020, at midnight. I would like to urge you to fully comply with the measures because they are for the good of our country."

He added the government will continue taking action that should save lives, such as intensifying laboratory testing for COVID-19 and recruitment of additional health personnel across the country.

Mutharika said during the lockdown, the government will continue deploying security personnel to provide border security patrols and mounting of roadblocks in strategic points countrywide, among other measures.

The president has appealed to all political leaders in the country to join hands in fighting the spread of the pandemic, which has claimed two lives so far in the country.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malawi is now 16, with two deaths. (Xinhua)