Covid crisis

THE number of people dying from COVID19 has forced many organisations to shift into high gear in the fight against corona virus. In Lusaka, many shopping malls have stepped up compliance enforcement and are forcing patrons to wear masks and sanitise ther hands. A survey by the Sun crew found that most shopping malls have mounted more hand washing equipment while keeping a bird’s eye to ensure that shoppers wear masks. This follows revelations from the Ministry of Health that more than 120 people have died from covid related issues, more than 60 percent being BIDs (brought in dead) cases. Some Lusaka residents interviewed urged Bus operators   to enforce covid prevention measures on all routes, intercity and local. Market traders have also been advised to adhere to the same measures and ensure that they mask up. Meanwhile,  ZANIS reports that the  Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) President Davy Chiyobe has called on civil servants across the country to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.  Speaking yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on MpikaDistrict Administrative Officer Bwalya Kaniki at her office, Mr. Chiyobe said cases of COVID -19 are on the increase in the country hence the need to adhere to precautions in order to contain the pandemic. Mr. Chiyobe said many people have stopped adhering to the health protocols as guided by the government resulting in the current increase of the spread of the disease.  “Am urging all the civil servants you take this COVID -19 pandemic seriously because it is claiming lives and infecting several others, “said Mr. Chiyobe.  He said civil servants should lead the campaign towards the fight against the disease and ensure that preventive measures are strictly followed.  Mr. Chiyobe said wearing of face masks in public places which is mandatory should be followed strictly.  The union leader said with the coming of the cold season, many people are bound to catch COVID 19 adding that total compliance with the health protocols should be ensured. And Mpika District Administrative Officer Bwalya Kanikisaid the pandemic is not a hoax as some people thought.  She said even in Mpika compliance levels to the health protocols had drastically reduced.  The DC said that the district administration working with other stakeholders have heightened the sensitization and ensure that preventive measures are not compromised.  “This disease is not hoax.  It is real.  People are getting infected with others dying.  We need to be serious,” charged Mrs. Kaniki.  Mrs. Kaniki also appealed to union leaders to sensitise their members on the deadly disease saying the fight against the pandemic lies squarely in observing social distancing of at least one or two metres away as well as washing of hands with soap and clean water.  Mr. Chiyobe is Mpika for the second Muchinga Provincial conference for the CSAWUZ taking place at Crumach Lodge in Mpika District.  The two-day provincial conference which will be officially opened by the Provincial Permanent Secretary Joyce Nsambawill also see election of new office bearers for the next four years. The Sun