Govt distributes masks at Chisokone market

GOVERNMENT has distributed face masks to marketeers and traders at Kitwe’s biggest market, Chisokone, in an effort to stop spread of coronavirus. ZANIS reports that face masks have been recommended among the measures, this is so because the virus is primarily transmitted through tiny droplets of saliva. Accompanied by Copperbelt province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe, Kitwe […]

Govt distributes masks at Chisokone market
GOVERNMENT has distributed face masks to marketeers and traders at Kitwe’s biggest market, Chisokone, in an effort to stop spread of coronavirus. ZANIS reports that face masks have been recommended among the measures, this is so because the virus is primarily transmitted through tiny droplets of saliva. Accompanied by Copperbelt province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe, Kitwe District commissioner Chileshe Bweupe and Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe, Local Government minister Charles Banda took time to distribute the masks to individual traders at the market. Dr. Banda expressed happiness at the levels of adherence to health guidelines set by government at markets and bus stations in the Copperbelt province. He attributed the trend to efforts by the provincial administration, district and local authorities to sensitize the communities on measure put in place to stop the spread of the virus. The decision to distribute face masks was arrived at after the Ministry observed that social distance in markets and bus stations is proving to be a challenge. “Looking at the markets and bus stations, they register high human traffic on a daily basis and despite the emphasis on people maintaining social distancing, it is proving unachievable. “It is the reason why I have visited the markets in the Copperbelt to distribute the face masks to people who work in this location to protect themselves. “We just want to encourage people to buy face masks and wear them for their own safety,” he said. He further encouraged people on the Copperbelt to volunteer for screening for coronavirus at the hospitals as well as to religiously follow the measures if the province is to be kept safe from the virus from spreading. And Copperbelt province Minister Mr.Mwakalombe said the four cases recorded in the province are imported. He disclosed as a result, the Ministry of Health has heightened surveillance in Chingola following the recent recorded two cases from a couple that had travelled to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, through Nakonde District. The provincial administration is equal to the task and will ensure that the numbers are kept static. Zambia’s cumulative cases currently stand at 74 with a total of 35 recoveries and a total of 3 deaths while active cases stand at 36. – ZANIS The Sun