President Edgar Lungu has said that the government will not shut down the economy as a way of fighting the pandemic.

Speaking yesterday when he met a team of businessmen in Isoka, President Lungu said that others have called on him to impose a curfew, adding that this can not work unless people change their mindsets.

The President said that in the past some countries have shut down their economies and imposed curfews but this has not worked.

And the head of state said that preventing oneself from contracting Covid 19 is better than getting the vaccine for the disease because experts have not explained how long the vaccine will be in one’s body before the person can contract the virus.

President Lungu said that he was not in any way discrediting the vaccine but wants more information given out to the general public, adding that s the best way to prevent the virus is by adhering to health measures such as wearing of masks and maintaining social distance.

And the Isoka Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to open Kobwa Mine in Isoka District. Speaking on behalf of others Lawrence Kasonde said the mine has huge deposits of copper hence the need to open the mine.

Mr. Kasonde said that the mine will create jobs for people in Isoka. Mr. Kasonde urged the President to ensure that the contractor working on the Great North Road implements the twenty percent subcontracting policy.

The Head of State is in Muchinga Province for a 5-day working visit where he is expected to inspect various developmental projects and meet traditional leaders

Government has reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccines which Zambia will receive are verified by credible sources.

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda has disclosed this adding that his ministry will follow the necessary procedures required in receiving and giving vaccines to members of the public.

Dr. Chanda said the issue of COVID -19 vaccines will first have to be taken to Cabinet after which he will issue a ministerial statement in parliament according to what would be agreed upon.

ZANIS reports that Dr. Chanda has since reassured Zambians that the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines will be done in a transparent manner and everything that government is doing is in the best interest of the people.

He said in a briefing after touring Maina Soko hospital in Lusaka today that there will be no back door vaccines that will enter the country and be given to people to endanger their lives.

“Every vaccine that is developed has to answer to the questions of efficacy and safety of the people being vaccinated and as government we will not leave things to chance,” Dr. Chanda explained.

He has meanwhile called on private health institutions that are carrying out COVID-19 tests to desist from exploiting members of public by charging exorbitant prices.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda said testing positive to COVID-19 is not a death sentence that should make people panic.

He said government has state of the art equipment and facilities that would handle COVID-19 cases that are being reported in the country.

Dr. Chanda further said people that are testing positive to COVID-19 and are asymptomatic should stay home, use prescribed home remedies and only rush to health centres when they need medical attention.

He said the policy is to admit those with symptoms.

The minister of health has meanwhile emphasised on preventing the spreading of the virus by observing the five COVID-19 prevention golden rules, which are masking up, social distancing, sanitising and staying home where possible.

“We have the capacity to handle and contain this virus as a country. The only thing missing is the enforcement of preventive measures and people not taking individual responsibility,” Dr. Chanda said.

And Dr. Chanda has called the on the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) to rise to the occasion and make sure that all the drugs that are on the market are authorised.

He said all drugs that are not licensed and are being served to members of the public should be withdrawn until certified fit.

The health minister noted that public confidence in the health sector has gone down hence the need for all concerned stakeholders to reassure members of the public of their safety.

He further said there was need to take charge and regulate the messages being given to the public on how to treat and protect themselves from contracting the virus.

Meanwhile, Zambia has recorded nine COVID-19 related deaths, 602 new cases out of the 4, 800 tests that were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Health Minister Jonas Chanda said when he gave the routine daily update on COVID-19 that 254 patients are currently on oxygen with 17 being in a critical condition.

Dr. Chanda said most of the deaths are being recorded in health facilities because some people are getting to the hospital with irreversible conditions.

He urged members of the public to make sure they seek medical attention in good time to avoid losing lives.

“Although deaths are being recorded every day, it is good to note that recoveries are also being recorded hence the need to keep guarding against the spreading of the virus and taking personal responsibility wherever we are,” said Dr. Chanda.

And government has designated Maina Soko military hospital as a COVID-19 isolation centre in order to decongest the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.

Maina Soko military hospital Commandant, Bernard Kapatamoyo said the hospital is happy to work with the Ministry of Health in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brigadier General Kapatamoyo has therefore called on people that usually get health services from Maina Soko hospital to seek services elsewhere as the military hospital will now be dedicated to serving COVID-19 patients.

“As a hospital, we are always ready to offer service whenever we are called upon and has currently offered 86 bed spaces that will be dedicated to COVID-19 patients,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu has encouraged citizens including those working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to work hard in order to help stimulate the country’s economy.

The President has cautioned that “working from home” is different from “staying at home”, and, therefore, citizens working from home must use the available ICT tools, to work hard rather than deciding to abandon work.

President Lungu observed that from last years’ experience, many citizens who were asked to work from home decided to stay at home and abandoned work.

He stated that abandoning work when allowed to work from home will not just negatively affect productivity but will negatively impact the county’s economy.

“Whether you are in the informal or formal sector and you have been made to work from home, work the way you would work at your place of work. Apply seriousness on what you do despite operating from home.

“Those who are positive with the coronavirus but are asymptomatic or are showing little symptoms must equally work hard from home and must not abandon the work they do. Do your normal chores, while observing the recommended health guidelines,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the Head of State has also encouraged people engaged in farming to ensure they visit their farms regularly, despite the surging cases of COVID-19, in order for the county to continue doing well in food production and security.

He noted that like all citizens, farmers need to observe the coronavirus health guidelines which include wearing masks, social distancing, hand sanitising, and steaming among others, but should not abandon their fields.

The President said he visited a farm recently where owners had not been to their field in fear of the COVID-19 pandemic and in their absence army worms attacked their produce.

He added that the World Bank’s Enabling Business of Agriculture (EBA19) Report, launched last Thursday, places Zambia third in Sub Saharan Africa, among the top countries that are encouraging the private sector to invest in agriculture.

The EBA 19 report assesses the laws and regulations impacting agribusiness Value chains and farmers in 101 countries. It ranks governments whether they make it easier or harder for farmers to operate their businesses, and identifies actionable reforms to remove obstacles for farmers seeking to grow their business of agriculture.

“My government has done very well in regulations relating to speedy supply of seeds, registering fertilizers, securing water, sustaining livestock and accessing finance, among other thematic successes, and hence scoring 63.73 from a possible 100, which is way above the regional average,” he said.

President Lungu added that “Therefore, this is a big score by Zambia as we are only behind South Africa and Kenya in Sub-Saharan Africa, and this is because of my administration’s performance in Agriculture. We can only push ourselves to be the best, but if we renege because of covid-19, agriculture production will drop and the consequences on the economy and our people will be dire,” the President says.

“Therefore, I want to encourage all households to work hard amidst the covid-19 pandemic and engage in some farming activity so that we end hunger and create capital for ourselves from the surplus that we produce,” said President Lungu.

This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka, by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe.