LUSAKA | AFP – Zambia is one of southern Africa’s most impacted nations despite being way behind continent leader South Africa.
A lockdown imposed by President Edgar Lungu has since been relaxed following a continent-wide trend.
The Zambian government has announced the closure of its common border with Tanzania. On Saturday (May 9) 76 new cases were reported in Nakonde, the border town in question.
The president directed that with effect from Monday 11th May, 2020; “the Nakonde border will be temporarily closed. There shall be no traffic in and out of Nakonde,” Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya announced at a COVID-19 press briefing on Sunday.
As it widened screening, Zambia recorded 85 cases on a single day with three deaths related to the pandemic.
Of the cases, 76 were recorded in Nakonde, the border town with Tunduma in Tanzania.
On Sunday, the country recorded 15 new cases after 250 tests.
Zambia Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya said the country is temporarily closing the Nakonde border starting May 11, 2020.
The closure is meant to facilitate the retraining of health personnel and carrying out of more screening in Nakonde.
“No traffic will be allowed in or out of the district,” Dr Chilufya said.
It was unclear how long the border will remain shut.
President Lungu last week announced the reopening of some sectors of the economy like casinos and gyms which were shut on March 18, saying the economy is taking a hit due to lack of activity.
He said the companies ought to find a way of operating under the new normal as they observe measures meant to slow down the spread of the virus.
So far, the country has recorded 267 positive cases, 117 recoveries and seven deaths.
Nakonde is among Zambia’s largest border posts, acting as a gateway to East Africa.
