The Zambian government has announced the closure of its common border with Tanzania over rising cases of Coronavirus at Nakonde, a border town – By Prudence Wanza.
On Saturday, May 9, 76 new cases were reported at the border town which allows way in and out of Tanzania.
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.
The government also stated that measures will be put in place to ensure immigration staff at the border are trained on how to safely handle entry of persons and goods.
Redeployments and reinforcements will also be undertaken, whiles Personal Protective Equipments and quarantine facilities and other key logistics will reinforced with the view to protect the lives of officials and the people of Nakonde.
Zambia’s cases stand at 267 with 117 recoveries and 7 deaths. Tanzania on the other hand has 509 cases, 21 deaths and 183 recoveries.
Tanzania’s response to the pandemic has been a mix of controversy. From president Magufuli casting doubts on the efficacy of test kits, refusal to implement measures such as curfew or lockdowns and reported cases of midnight burials.
