…. As President Lungu outlines the new normal VOVID-19 context amid 14 new cases
By Scoop Reporter
ALL schools will reopen on June 1, 2020 only for pupils in examination classes with strict adherence to public health guidelines, regulations, and certification under the new normal context, President Edgar Lungu has ordered.
Meanwhile, restaurants, casinos, cinemas, and gymnasiums have also been directed to reopen while bars and taverns are to remain closed.
Speaking during a national address on COVID-19 update this afternoon in which he announced that the country has recorded 14 new cases in the past 24 hours, President Lungu says he is concerned that if schools remain closed, it will lead to increased cases of delinquent behaviour among pupils.
“I am worried about our children who are tired and bored especially in the rural parts of the country and we are seeing instances of juvenile delinquency increasing. I am furthers concerned that if the schools remain closed, there will be moral decay in our children and the youth as a result of them having more free time.
“As much as all classes are important for the education of our children, we must cautiously and strategically manage the reopening of the schools in light of COVID-19. In the context of the new normal, my direction is that the first cases to be reopened in both Primary and Secondary Schools are examination classes and this will be on 1st June 2020 on condition that schools enforce all public health guidelines, regulations, and certification,” President Lungu said.
He says businesses that have been allowed to reopen must also ensure strict adherence to public health guidelines, regulations, and certification
“I therefore see it inevitable for restaurants revert to their normal operations on condition of adhering to the prescribed public health guidelines, regulations, and certification. I wish to direct the reopening of cinemas, gymnasiums, and casinos while adhering to the prescribed health guidelines, regulations, and certification.
“As you are all, aware, many business such as lodges, hotels, tour operators, internet cafes, as well as event management companies voluntarily closed as a result of CIVID-19 so as to protect themselves, their employees, as well as their clients. I therefore wish to appeal to proprietors to consider the possibility of of getting back to normal operations while observing public health guidelines, regulations, and certification,” he said.
He says all adjustments made are subject to public health guidelines, regulations, and certifications, and practices such as wearing face masks, observing social distancing, hand washing and sanitising, and ensuring high levels of hygiene.
“I wish to reiterate that some business that have not been affected by these pronouncements we have made today such as taverns and bars, will be affected and reviewed by the next pronouncements that will be mad after we see how the measures we have taken today are being implemented and how the pandemic evolves,” he said.
In the last 24 hours, Zambia has recorded 14 positive cases out of 683 tested. This comprises six truck drivers tested in Chirundu, two healthcare workers in Lusaka and Kabwe. Others are a contact to a positive case, one from routine screening at Ndola Central hospital, three patients from health facility screening and a Tanzanian screened in Chililabombwe.
