The number of Coronavirus have risen to 12 from the initial 3. President Edgar Lungu has announced the new development in a televised address to the nation Wednesday morning.

The head of state announced that 10 more cases have now been identified bringing the number to 12 and said 11 of them had travelled abroad in recent weeks and acquired the disease from the outside country while 1 had come into contact with them locally and that they have all been quarantined.

The President has since directed that all missions abroad and departments of Immigration must be alert to review the issuance of visas for people wanting to travel to Zambia as well as all ports of entry into the country for all travellers from countries affected by COVID-19.

“Travellers will be allowed entry into Zambia, however, upon screening those who exhibit symptoms they will be quarantined in a medical facility for treatment while all other travellers without symptoms will be quarantined for atleast 14 days at thier own cost” President Lungu said.

The President has also emphasized that public gatherings such as conferences, weddings ,funerals, festivals are to be restricted to atleast 50 people subject to them complying with public health authority guidelines while restaurants must operate only on a take-away delivery basis.

“All bars, night clubs ,casinos, cinemas and gyms must close. All international flights to and from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Mfuwe international airports are suspended instead all international flights should land at and depart from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport only to ensure efficiency and effective screening of travellers,as well as following them up by our health authorities” he announced.

He said these measures shall be effected from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020 and shall be observed for the initial period of 14 days and will be constantly reviewed depending on how the pandemic evolves.

“It’s the duty of my government to ensure that every Zambian is protected from this disease.My government has been taking proactive measures even before the current cases were identified and pronounced and went ahead to directed that schools, colleges and universities be closed prematurely to protect pupils and students, teachers and lecturers” he said.

And the head of state has expressed concern with of adherance to the measures that have been put in place stating that he has personally observed multitudes patronizing bars or freely hugging and shaking hands at funerals contrary to health advise.

“Let me say this, if your lifestyle has not changed in the past few weeks then you are doing something wrong and endangering both yourself and your neighbor and loved ones” he observed.

President Lungu has also thanked donor community , business houses, NGOs, traditional leaders ,the church and citizens for actively supporting and working with government in addressing and mitigating the pandemic at various levels and further advised for community participation in order to win the coronavirus fight.

 

Below is the full speech

 

Countrymen and Women,

The world today faces one of its greatest adversaries that threatens mankind. The Coronavirus disease. The Coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19 has decimated lives across the world.

Countrymen and Women,

This virus is mean, devastating and morbid. A few weeks ago, it was heard from a distance in china; today it is in the neighbourhood. Today, you and i are not safe anymore and until we comply with what the health authorities are saying, it may spread quickly and endanger our lives.

Countrymen and Women,

Zambia is landlocked; and that means, with a crisis of this magnitude, we shall find ourselves under forced lockdown if all our neighbours close their borders. This situation would make us economically vulnerable and weaker.

In coming up with measures to stem the spread of COVID-19, my government has devised a phased strategy that will take into consideration interventions for the low and high income groups, low and high density areas, rural and urban areas. It is with this in mind that essential businesses dealing in goods and services will be kept running.

Countrymen and Women,

I have gone round the city and i have seen for myself that many among us are not taking this COVID-19 seriously. I have seen multitudes patronising bars or freely, hugging and shaking hands at funerals, contrary to health advise.

Let me say this; if your lifestyle has not changed in the past few weeks, then you are doing something wrong and endangering both yourself, your neighbour and your loved ones.

Countrymen and Women,

It is the duty of my government to ensure every Zambian is protected from this disease. My government has been taking proactive measures even before the current cases were identified and pronounced. I went ahead and directed that schools, colleges and universities be closed prematurely to protect pupils and students; teachers and lecturers.

Exactly nine days after the first two COVID-19 cases were announced, ten more cases have now been identified bringing the number to twelve. Eleven of them had travelled abroad in recent weeks and acquired the disease from outside the country.

One had come into contact with them locally, and they have all been quarantined.

Countrymen and Women,

You are all aware that, my cabinet has already approved the COVID-19 contingency plan, including its budget and directed the ministry of finance to mobilise resources to enable line ministries, private sector and other key stakeholders to contain and combat the spread of the Coronavirus disease in a multisectoral and coordinated manner.

Countrymen and Women,

Let me now state the measures my government has started undertaking and will continue to undertake in phase one to mitigate the impact of COVID-19:

1. The Zambian missions abroad and department of immigration must be alert to review the issuance of visas for people wanting to travel to Zambia, as well as at all ports of entry into the country for all travellers from countries affected by COVID-19;

2. Travellers will be allowed entry into Zambia, however, upon screening those who exhibit symptoms they will be quarantined in a medical facility for treatment, while all other travellers without symptoms will be quarantined for at least 14 days at their own cost;

3. Government has suspended non-essential foreign travel, particulary, to countries which have confirmed COVID-19 cases;

4. Public gatherings such as conferences, weddings, funerals, festivals are to be restricted to at least 50 people subject to them complying with public health authority guidelines;

5. Restaurants must operate only on a take-away and delivery basis;

 

6. All bars, night clubs, cinemas, gyms and casinos must close;

7. All international flights to and from harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Mfuwe international airports are suspended, instead, all international flights should land at and depart from Kenneth Kaunda International airport only, to ensure efficient and effective screening of travellers, as well as following them up by our health authorities;

Countrymen and Women,

The measures i have just announced shall be effected from midnight on thursday 26^th march, 2020 and shall be observed for the initial period of 14 days. However my government shall constantly review these measures depending on how the pandemic evolves.

I will at an opportune time provide further update and guidance on the Coronavirus disease and government’s continued response. In the meantime, the council of ministers’ on disaster management shall be providing regular updates periodically.

Countrymen and Women,

I know there will be a significant negative socio-economic impact to our communities and the country at large. Therefore, all these measures are critical to ensuring that we avert an imminent socio-economic and health crisis.

Countrymen and Women,

Let me take this opportunity to thank the donor community, business houses, ngos, traditional leaders, the church and citizens for actively supporting and working with the government in addressing and mitigating this pandemic at various levels.

Remember, we are at war, a public health war against COVID-19 where everyone must stand up and be counted. The health guidelines of frequently washing hands, sanitising, cleaning our environment, not shaking hands and observing social distance from each other are key to our survival.

This fight cannot be won without community participation. Let us be each other’s brother and sisters keeper and encourage one another to seek medical attention whenever one feels unwell and exhibits flu like symptoms.

I have no doubt that, together, we shall fight and conquer the Coronavirus disease in Zambia.

I thank you and God bless you all.

Patriotic Front member of the central committee Kebby Mbewe has expressed disappointment with the politics which UPND and NDC leaders Hakainde Hichilema and Dr Chishimba Kambwili are attaching to the issue of the Coronavirus.

Mr Mbewe said that Mr. Hichilema is alarming the nation by issuing statements that are misleading instead of uniting the nation towards the fight against the Coronavirus.

“When you go to Europe and other parts of the world, all leaders have put politics aside and this is what we expect from mature politicians and not politicking on the matter” Mr Mbewe said.

Mr Mbewe has since asked Mr Hichilema to practice responsible politics that will help to contribute to the successful fighting of the epidemic further asking him not to seek political mileage from the situation.

“How many times are you as a leader going to mislead the people on serious matters that concern the majority of Zambians.When the country is going through challenges such as this which require undivided attention, you choose to instead play politics” he said.

Mr Mbewe has also advised NDC leader Dr Chishimba Kambwili not to underplay government’s efforts to raise awareness on the economic impacts of the Coronavirus.

Mr Mbewe says the efforts that the government has put in place should be supported by all Zambians especially political leaders who should compliment efforts to raise awareness and help people to understand to what extent the Coronavirus will affect the country’s socioeconomic sector.

“You have the potential to help this country but do it in a way that Zambians are going to appreciate” he advised the duo.

And Mr Mbewe says the President has put a lot of effort in addressing the epidemic as evidenced by various meetings he has chaired , the inter-ministerial committee he has set up, the contingency fund he has set aside among other notable efforts.

He was reacting to those calling for the President to voice out on the Coronavirus saying the president is currently speaking through the various people he has tasked to ensure the matter receives the much-needed attention.

On Monday, UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia’s Health Care System has no capacity to deal with full-scale COVID-19.

Mr Hichilema says the measures announced by the Ministry of Health to combat COVID-19 fall short of the scale of the problem at hand.

Speaking at a media briefing today, Mr Hichilema cited Limited diagnostic facilities, inadequate medical personnel, limited treatment options and limited protective gear as some of the inadequacies that affect Zambia’s preparedness to deal with the disease.

He said in order to deal with the situation and protect the people; Zambia needs a complete lockdown for two weeks, enhance testing for COVID -19 in all ten provinces, mobilize retired medical personnel to help and procure enough medical equipment for medical personnel.

The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has revealed that the rate of inflation is projected to remain above the target range over the first half of 2020.

BOZ says this is on account of the effects of on-going electricity supply challenges and increased external debt service, which affects inflation through the expectations and exchange rate channels.

Speaking in a BOZ January to June monetary policy statement issued to ZANIS today, BOZ predicts that inflation will decline thereafter on account of anticipated improvements in the agricultural output due to the favourable rainfall pattern observed so far during the 2019/2020 crop season, taking into account weak domestic growth, and liquidity challenges

BOZ states that the monetary policy will continue to focus on bringing inflation back to the target range of 6-8 percent in the medium-term.

The Bank of Zambia will continue to rely on the forward- looking monetary policy framework anchored on the policy rate as the key signal for the monetary policy stance, taking into account inflation forecasts and outcomes, identified risks, as well as progress in the execution of fiscal consolidation.

The institution states that in the second half of 2019, the policy rate and the statutory reserve ratio were adjusted upwards to counter inflationary pressures and exchange rate volatility.

BOZ adds that the overall annual rate of inflation, however, remained high, largely due to the sharp increase in prices of maize grain and related products, as well as the significant depreciation of the Kwacha against the US dollar.

It further notes that the annual rate of inflation averaged 10.3 percent from 7.9 percent in the first half of 2019.

The Bank of Zambia has since called for effective and sustained implementation of fiscal adjustment and structural measures to address elevated debt levels and debt services, and the accumulation of domestic arrears, and liquidity constraints.

And The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has put in measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

BoZ says the measures taken will minimise the movement of people into its premises to mitigate transmission of the coronavirus.

Members of the public have been advised to visit the Bank only when it is absolutely necessary and after securing an appointment.

The Bank of Zambia has announced that it has put in place various contact numbers, only to be used during working hours, from 08:00 hours to 16:30 hours.

The institution however says the restriction will not apply to government departments that collect revenue, as well as entities that transact with the banking division.

This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by the BoZ Communications Division in Lusaka today.