President Edgar Lungu says he has not at any time lifted the directive to adhere to COVID-19 public health measures.
President Lungu says the same public health guidelines that the government put in place last year when the country recorded the first COVID-19 pandemic are still in effect.
And President Lungu has urged the Clergy to take advantage of the Church gatherings to remind their members on the seriousness of the pandemic.
The Head of State has further expressed concern at the lack of enforcement of the public health guidelines by the people.
He says it is worrisome that people have gone to sleep and have stopped adhering to the public health measures.
President Lungu says there is need to take a look at what has not been done, in order to ensure that there is strict enforcement of the measures, to curb the coronavirus.
He was speaking at State House in Lusaka this morning when a team of leaders from the Reformed Church of Zambia Synod Moderators from various parts of the country paid a courtesy call on him.
“We allow Zambians to say you can socialise in moderation from Friday 18 hours to 23 hours Sunday the same 18 to 23 hours, Saturday the same 18 to 23 hours but what we are seeing is from Monday morning, bars are open and I don’t remember ever saying that we have lifted these measures, I don’t remember the Minister of Health calling a media briefing saying all these measures are no longer in place,” the President noted.
President Lungu further stated that government cannot close up the community and stop people from congregating, but emphasised on the need for the Clergy to ensure that the health guidelines are adhered to.
“We have allowed congregating. We said that we can congregate but observe social distance, masking up, sanitising and so on but everyone seems to have gone to sleep. Now we are getting figures like 14 people dying in one day which is alarming but we need to take advantage of gatherings like this to remind ourselves my dear brothers and sisters that this job is not only for the Head of State but all of us,” he stated.
“So as we go back to our communities, let us remind people that the coronavirus is still there, it’s real and the strain which has come is more deadly, it’s killing in a shorter instance and it’s taking people suddenly”, the President added.
The Head of State has also urged transport operators to ensure that those who board their transports are masked up, sanitise and that they create enough space for each other.
He has extended the call to everyone operating in markets, supermarkets and shopping malls to ensure that no one accesses their premises without masking and without sanitising.
President Lungu has also urged the local services to play their part by making sure that they bring to book all those that are found wanting.
‘I think that’s how we are going to do it,” he said.
The President noted that the police also need to play their part, the Ministry of Local Government and other institutions such as the Zambia National Public Health Institution must equally test their responsibility.
And RCZ Synod Moderator Reverend Ackson Banda stated that the Reformed Church of Zambia will always work with and support the government of the day.
Rev. Banda noted that the Church and government must only be partners in national development.
“Just as government has the Seventh National Development Plan to drive its developmental agenda, RCZ also believes in sustainable development, public private partnership and peaceful co-existence in the development of the nation,” he said.
Reverend Banda further indicated that the RCZ has continued to play a great role in the provision of health and education services, in various communities across the country, including implementation of poverty alleviating programmes.
He also called for government line ministries and departments for support as the Church continues with its developmental agenda to provide service to the people of Zambia.
“We have worked extremely well with government line ministries to provide service to the people. The Church should not be blind to what government is doing. We fully support you your Excellency for the developmental projects across the country,” the Reverend stated.
But you have been holding political rallies since then. Can you please defend yourself on this one
Nkandu Flo Chalabesa this no time to start asking baseless questions. just play your part in this fight
Mukamweene Mweemba excuse me! This is a public post and everyone is entitled to post their opinion. Don’t take anything personal. Stay safe
Nkandu Flo Chalabesa Precisely!
we shall continue to follow the guidelines and help fight the pandemic
Yes Mr President not at any time… People are just stubborn thinking the pandemic is not there.
we will comply to the regulations my president
Mr president people are just ignorant
your efforts in this fight are recommendable my president
lets observe all guidelines
Let us all observe the health guidelines
People make their own rules. Let’s continue following the measures and stay safe
Thank you for your efforts toward the fight of the pandemic Mr President
surely you did not say otherwise my president
Your efforts aren’t going unnoticed. The fight against the virus is for all of us to do.
Many people think corona virus is a hoax despite the sensitization from you and your government. We appreciate what you’re doing
we are sorry for being relaxed with the rules
Truly you did not lift the directive to adhere to covid 19 public health measures my president
People are negligent and at the end of the day point fingers but this is a fight we all have to be a part of.
Let us all comply
People have just become too relaxed …
We want tou to act on honey bees!
The problem is you fail to lead by example. You have been moving from one province to another, holding rallies in the process with huge gatherlings, the vice president was in Western province and look at the peolpe that welcomed her at the airport
Simple instructions given by this great legal mind but it seems people read what they want to read. Can law enforcement agencies firmly deal with anyone found gallavanting carelessly. Bro lusambo is doing a great job
Why is it that your administration is not implementing your directives?
Thank you for the update
Look at America now, Trump was busy doing politics and even holding rallies. Now the people are dying in large numbers. The same can happen to any nation on this planet. Leaders do not only hold political powers but also lives of the people they lead. You will be answerable to greatest leader of the entire universe
Enforcement and compliance is
True not at any point did his excellency seize to follow the public health measures
Your on going effort towards the fight of Covid 19 are really appreciated
You ate doing a good job in the fight against Covid 19 mr president keep it up
The same rules still apply…just stick to the rules
People just room it upon themselves to just stop following health guidelines
Attitude problem here….
The president is good enough to shoot and kill innocent bystanders – but he can’t instruct his own agencies (police, army, civil service, OP) to ensure people adhere to wearing masks etc. Gayzar Zulu, why can’t you and your gay friends do something? You always know everything better!
Lets adhere to the measures put in place
Miles fyi it is upnd that is funded by pro gay organisations
Covid is real let’s be serious
Yes, at no time did you follow your own directives, hypocrite!
Everyone should follow directives except for Lungu – that is how it works. He can continue campaigning and Corona issues don’t come in. Please follow directives snd serve yourselves