The Ministry of Health has expressed displeasure with owners of bars, nightclubs, casinos, and patrons who have continued to ignore the public health guideline that has been put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement made available to the media yesterday, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Malama says bars, taverns, nightclubs, casinos and patrons have continued to flout with impunity the directives issued to curb the spread Covid – 19.
Dr. Malama said the epidemiological picture is worrisome in that many have lost their loved ones, friends, and family in a short period of time.
“Today we wish to express our immense displeasure with owners of bars, taverns nightclubs, casinos, and patrons who have continued to flout with impunity the directives issued to stem further spread of COVID19, the epidemiological picture is indeed worrisome and we have lost so many of our friends and loved ones,’’ he said.
He added that in the last twenty-four hours the country has recorded 2,837 confirmed COVID-19 cases out of the 10,689 test conducted.
Dr. Malam disclosed that the country has continued to record high number of deaths not only in health facilities but also in communities of which a good number are COVID-19 related deaths.
“Sadly, we have continued to record a high number of deaths, not only in our health facilities but also in communities as adduced from the increase in the Brought in Dead (BIDs), it is likely that good number of community deaths are COVID19 related deaths, ’he said.
Meanwhile, Lusaka City Council has closed down 18 bars and night clubs that were found abrogating government’s directive to adhere to Covid 19 measures.
A spot check by Lusaka City Council led by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Mr. Mathews Ngulube, and Lusaka Town Clerk Mr. Alex Mwansa revealed that there is low compliance to the Covid 19 pandemic measures that have been set by the Government.
Mr. Ngulube expressed disappointment that reputable bars and nightclubs have decided to go against the government’s directive to operate with strict adherence to Covid 19 measures.
“I am disappointed that big businesses can go against the government’s guidelines with impunity. This is not what we expected to find,” Mr. Ngulube said.
Mr. Ngulube says despite the business owners knowing the guidelines that have been set, they have bluntly decided to ignore the government’s directive in the pretext of not knowing the new operating times.
And Mr. Mwansa says the state of affairs regarding the operation of bars and nightclubs despite the Covid 19 pandemic is worrisome.
He says the local authority is not segregative in its operations saying everyone must comply with the Covid 19 measures.
Mr. Mwansa says the council will continue conducting random compliance checks, on a daily basis in a bid to engage business entities to comply with governments health guidelines set to combat Covid 19.
This is according to a statement issued by LCC Public Relations Manager Mwaka Nakweti.
And The local authority in Shangombo district has shut down three bars and a restaurant for failing to comply with Covid – 19 health regulations.
Shangombo Town Council Secretary, Kamwata Pongo who led a team of officials on a night inspection, disclosed that three bars and a restaurant were shut down for abrogating the law.
He said the 4 outlets were found wanting last night for operating beyond the stipulated time saying that people need to adhere to the guidelines laid forth.
Mr Pongo is optimistic that after the first inspection all bars, restaurants, night clubs and taverns shall comply saying those who fail to do so will be dealt with accordingly.
He emphasised that if the district is to prevent covid-19, people should make it their responsibility to adhere to the covid-19 guidelines put in place.
Now when my brother lusambo unleashes his big whlp and beats you start saying fyo fyo. Some people only learn through beating. Allow lusambo to patrol. It worked last time
The ministry is complaining and those bars just keep on going. You know why? Normally those bar owners pay K50 to the police whenever anything is wrong, and that keeps on happening. So, corrupt police officers are to blame, and those are part of the most unproductive and unpopular PF government ever! Now you see what CORRUPTION leads to, mr UK based troll and imposter KZ! PF: Lying about everything, not delivering anything!
Take away all licenses for good!!!
They rather endup with covid as give up drinking….what a drunken lot.
What’s the difference between opening a bar with people drinking and the local markets having thousands of people not wearing masks and not adhering covid rules . Why is one section of society targeted?
SURELY ONE OF THE BARS BELONGS TO THE TR000LL KAIZER ZULU
AS HE IS ALWAYS MENTIONING THE 1000″S OF BUSINESES HE OWNS
KIKI
Tikki all my businesses follow rules
This government, awe sure! fund the loss in revenue first and then enforce the rules. The same government using the death of KK and galavanting with his dead body to all corners of the country abrogating their own rules. You want to stop people from dying in bars so that you can kill them at your campaign rallies. Making the rules up as they go along. You have taken your eye off COVID to focus on winning an election. Dead people may cast votes for dead MP’s at this rate.
@Tom-On point!! Whenever covid breaks, bars are the number 1 targets while markets, bus stops and buses (which are used by more people from children to anyone) are unchecked. Just go through Freedom Way near Kulima Bus Stop and see what’s happening there this morning. Buses are being packed like a can of lucky star with no masking (buses transport over 500,000 people per day!). And bars should be number 1 targets???
If ever HH formed Govt. He would have to deal with this scenerio of defiance that he has created. He would probably be more dictator than his predecessors. We cannot run a country where people just defy lawful instruction that must serve lives. SA unleashed the entire military in the streets of SA to stop these defiant souls. Zambia must put their foot down and unleash soldiers if need be. We cannot behave like under-five all the time.
Chi Lusambo got sick from covid, survived unfortunately.
From that day it was discharged Bowman never what to talk about covid again!
Find them heavily!! After all you need money to buy the vaccines ain’t it!?
Fine them heavily!! After all you need money for vaccines ain’t it!?