COVID-19 DILEMMA

WE understand the government’s dilemma in its efforts to look after the health of Zambians in the wake of the impending fourth wave while trying to contain the effects of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo on Sunday announced several measures that included barring those without vaccination certificates from accessing public and government buildings.

Already, there have been protests that the measures abrogate the rights of citizens to choose whether to be vaccinated or not.

While these concerns are genuine, it is important that people take up the vaccination drive seriously and do so on their own.

Yes, the government has never forced anyone to take the Covid-19 vaccination but has always relied on people to make an informed decision and appreciate why they need to be vaccinated.

Zambians are aware that Health experts have been warning about a fourth wave that could be more deadly than the third wave that stretched the country’s health institutions to the limit.

What is obvious is that the country cannot continue with the low-key approach on Covid-19 vaccination when the situation in neighbouring countries has taken a turn for the worse.

Government has had to step up the vaccination programme after several European countries tightened their travel restrictions with the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa earlier this week.

The variant is very different to the others that have emerged so far. Scientists have said it is the most heavily mutated version yet, which means vaccines, which were designed using the original strain from Wuhan, may not be as effective.

As we have pointed out before, Zambia being a major trading hub in the region with trucks crisscrossing the country transporting goods, the nation cannot afford to ignore the unfolding danger in the region even though Covid-19 cases have been on the decline.

It is always better though to take precautions than wait until disaster strikes. This is what the government is doing.

It has asked citizens not only to take the vaccination but also enforce and observe the five golden rules to protect themselves from Covid-19.

Zambians must have surely learnt by now that the Covid-19 pandemic transcends borders and what is happening in one country cannot be ignored.

Covid cases in South Africa are on the rise ahead of a predicted fourth wave. The country has recorded 1, 886 new virus cases since Saturday and 22 deaths from coronavirus.

Experience must have taught Zambians that whatever happens in South Africa is more likely to replicate itself in Zambia and Government cannot therefore be faulted for taking stringent measures.

In Parliament on Tuesday, Health Minister Masebo was put under pressure on the government’s decision to force civil servants to undergo Covid-19 vaccination.

Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela who rose on the point of public importance said the announcement by Government to the effect that those who have not been vaccinated and present a certificate will not be allowed to access public buildings was unconstitutional and against the bill of rights.

Mr Chitotela said the government should remember that there are fundamentalists in the Seventh Day Adventists Church and the Jehovah’s Witnesses who do not take vaccines and wondered what will happen to such people.

It is a Catch-22 situation for the authorities but we have every confidence that a way will be found, that will still ensure that national interests take centre-stage amidst concerns raised by Mr Chitotela and others.