Ndola steps up COVID-19 health tips

NDOLA District Commissioner, Anthony Katongo says the district task force on Covid-19 will intensify the sensitisation campaign in markets and other trading places.

Mr. Katongo said his office has noted with great concern that despite the continued surge in the cases of the pandemic some members of the public especially buyers and marketeers have paid a deaf ear on the COVID -19 guidelines.

Mr. Katongo said yesterday when he conducted an on the spot check of schools that have opened their gates to the learners yesterday to ascertain compliance and preparatory levels on the prescribed guidelines that the district task force will be engaging marketeers on the matter.

Mr. Katongo said the fight against coronavirus needs everyone’s participation including traders and marketeers because they come across hundreds of customers on a daily basis.

He made the sentiments following a concern from a grade nine pupil at Ndola’s Temweni Secondary School, Nathalie Kafwimbi on the huge crowds flocking the markets.

“There are lot of people in markets and in a good number of bars. What else are you doing to make them stop because some of them seem not to be listening,” she asked.

And Mr. Katongo said bar owners should not dare authorities because the President stated that bars, taverns and night clubs will only operate from Friday to Sunday and from 18:00 hours to 23:00 hours.

He said the conditions given on the operations of bars and night clubs were subject to review and that can still make a pronouncement that may be bars can completely close if he so wishes should people continue with their casual approach.

He said the district health team will soon be going round communities especially markets and bring to the fore the need for people to adhere to the set protocols on the pandemic

- ZANIS