Lungu guides on Covid-19 quarantine
ONLY Covid-19 patients who are symptomatic and with underlying health conditions must be quarantined while the rest would in self isolation, President Edgar Lungu has said.
And President Lungu has assured owners of bars and nightclubs that their outlets would be opened as soon as consultations were concluded by the line ministers involved.
President Lungu said during the national address yesterday that citizens who tested positive but had no symptoms should self-isolate at home.
He said keeping a lot of Covid-19 patients in isolation centres, including those who were asymptomatic had become a strain on national coffers.
President Lungu said patients who were not in a severe condition and did not have other serious health issues should be isolated at home but under strict supervision and monitoring by health personnel.
“Only Covid-19 patients who are seriously ill and those with underlying health conditions should be quarantined,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said bars and nightclubs would be opened as soon as consultations were concluded.
He said bars and night clubs were critical to economic growth. Consultations on guidelines on which they could be allowed to open were ongoing.
“Owners of bars and nightclubs have not been forgotten, your outlets will be open once consultations are finished on how to deal with guidelines,” he said.
President Lungu also encouraged proprietors of lodges and hotels to open their establishments as long as they follow health guidelines including social distancing, wearing of masks, hand washing and sanitising.
He also directed the ministries of General Education and Health to adequately prepare for examination classes that were set to open on June 1.
President Lungu said colleges and universities should await consultations with stakeholders which were ongoing.
He also urged digital service providers to make their products affordable
And President Lungu said the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases in Zambia was now 920 and that 20, 011 tests had be done so far.
He directed the Ministry of Health to hold Covid-19 updates on Mondays and Fridays so as to focus on fighting the pandemic and other duties.