Govt closes schools

GOVERNMENT has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and Universities from Friday, until further notice to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said over 300 cases of the deadly Coronavirus (Covid 19) have been reported in the African continent with 10 deaths, and Zambia has not confirmed any case so far.

He also emphasised on the restriction of all foreign travel, reschedule all avoidable travel, as well as hygiene practices to be enhanced.

Dr Chilufya said to prevent the spread of the pandemic, Government has decided to close all Schools, Colleges and Universities in Zambia with effect from Friday, 20 March 2020 until further notice.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Dr

Chilufya said the closure of schools was one of preventive measures on COVID19.

“All schools, colleges, and universities will close this Friday and between now and this Friday we will be disseminating knowledge of how to prevent COVID19. This just brings forward the recess for these institutions,” Dr Chilufya said.

He said the opening date would be communicated in due course depending on the situation.

Dr Chitalu said there was need to upscale two known high impact interventions; hand hygiene, and cleaning of communities to prevent the outbreak of the disease.

The minister said people from a high-risk country would be quarantined for 2-14 days, and if symptomatic, a person would be isolated for symptomatic management and treated.

He said areas in Lusaka, Petauke, Chinsali, Livingstone, and Copperbelt districts have been identified as to quarantine the people.

Meanwhile, the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia and Zambia National Education Coalition said they were pleased with the decision made by government.

The two organisations indicated that the decision was inevitable considering the agonizing social and economic effects if a country would record even a single Corona case.