By Scoop Reporter
OPERATIONS conducted by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) in selected townships of the city have revealed wide-spread abrogation of COVID 19 health regulations and presidential orders regarding opening of bars, the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has said.
ZACA Executive Secretary Juba Sakala says the association strongly condemns the behaviour of these bar operators and has urged the local authority not to relent.
Mr. Sakala has also called upon other local authorities to heighten community surveillance and bring the wrong doers to book.
“We urge consumers not to risk their lives over a habit that is entirely avoidable. It’s highly irresponsible to disregard health regulations just to satisfy one’s desire to consume alcohol. In any case alcohol itself has many severe social, economic and health consequences, we therefore advise consumers to exercise restraint,” Mr. Sakala said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sakala has called upon local authorities throughout the country to enforce smoke free laws during this difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says this is because the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other global public health institutions have established that smokers are predisposed to more severe COVID-19 complications, to make matters worse smokers endanger the lives of non-smokers through second-hand smoke.
He says the Local Government (Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places) Regulations, 2008 issued under Statutory Instrument No. 39 of 2008, read in conjunction with the Public Health Act, Chapter 295, as amended, and the Public Health (Tobacco) Regulations, 1992 mandate and confer powers on Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to enter any premises to conduct inspections as they deem fit and undertake any enforcement action against persons who violate the law.
“We demand action. In the same vain we implore smokers to take advantage of this unfortunate but unique atmosphere to quit smoking or seek help where necessary.
