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Lilongwe – Malawi will close its borders for 14 days and restrict public gatherings to 100 people after a further surge in coronavirus cases, the country’s presidential working group on Covid-19 said on Tuesday.
After nearly two months with no new positive cases, Malawi recorded 46 new infections on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 6,248, with 187 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.
Malawi’s borders and airports reopened in October when positive cases fell, though some experts fear the true number is higher, with just over 80,000 tests carried out.
Malawi has a population of 19 million. Although small in size, about a tenth the size of South Africa, Malawi is in the top 10 on the continent in terms of population density, making it vulnerable to the rapidly spreading respiratory disease.
The task force said at a briefing in the administrative capital, Lilongwe, that only essential services personnel and traffic carrying essential items such as fuel and medicines would be able to cross the borders.
He said Malawians deported from other countries would also be allowed to enter the country. Those who return will have to enter mandatory isolation facilities at airports, officials said.
Labor Minister Ken Kandodo tested positive for Covid-19 this week and had been admitted to hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
Reuters
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