Chilufya Signs 2 SIs on COVID 19
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has signed two Statutory Instruments which will facilitate the management and Control of the Covid 19 commonly known as Coronavirus.
Dr. Chilufya says the Statutory Instruments will among other things require mandatory reporting to health officials all individuals suspected to have COVID-19 and mandatory quarantine of all travelers from high-risk areas for a minimum period of 14 days.
He says the Statutory Instruments will also allow for the closure of any premises that pose a public health threat linked to COVID-19.
And the Minster says all public places should have the provision of adequate and accessible facilities for hand hygiene.
He has further advised the public to restrict personal contact such as handshakes and hugging and public gatherings.
Dr. Chilufya says the restriction of unnecessary public gatherings and non-essential foreign travels is to avoid the spread of the Covid 19, which has no cure.
He said this in Lusaka today during a joint Media briefing with Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya.
And Dr. Chilufya said the country has so far screened over 29 thousand travellers at the international airports of which 2-thousand 3-hundred arriving from high risk areas have been identified and are being tracked.
He said currently the Zambia National Public Health Institute -ZNPHI-, has been conducting surveillance and to date 28 alerts involving individuals who travelled from areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases have been investigated.
The Minister further said the country has not recorded any case of coronavirus and has further dismissed myths that the virus is only attacking a particular race.
Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya who is also Chief Government spokesperson said her Ministry is formulating an SI that will enable the media and government to enhance interactions on the Covid 19 so that the public is adequately sensitized.
Ms. Siliya also urged all citizens to exercise high levels of hygiene and comply with the measures the ministry of health has put in place.