Day 1 of
Swaziland’s coronavirus partial lockdown. Statement form Prime Minister Ambrose
Dlamini.
GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI
PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT
PARTIAL LOCKDOWN UPDATE – COVID-19
Today the Kingdom of Eswatini joined the rest of
the world and more than 2.5 billion people globally to observe a partial
lockdown and, for others, a full lockdown - to combat a common enemy, the
coronavirus. This is unchartered territory for the Kingdom and the world, a
time when our resolve and collective effort to control the spread of a virus
that has gained unsavoury reputation is put to the test.
The partial lockdown that has been effected across
the country today is a necessary step towards containing the spread of this
evidently stubborn coronavirus. Clearly it brings to the fore a lot of
inconveniences never experienced before, hurts business and our economy, deters
the free movement of people and in extension spreads a lot of anxiety and panic
among the populace.
However, we can learn from the experiences of other
countries which have felt the brunt of this pandemic over the past months. We
can also draw advice from medical experts who insist that limiting the movement
of people and staying at home, presents us with the best chance of saving lives
and stopping an uncontrollable spread which can quickly reach all corners of
the Kingdom.
The measures announced on Monday are now in full
force and we expect all EmaSwati and residents of this country to fully comply
and abide by them without exception. The irresponsible actions of a few can put
all of us in danger. The cost to our economy is high but the health and safety
of citizens is paramount.
Currently Eswatini has eight confirmed coronavirus
cases and more tests are still pending. The rising number of positive cases is
a cause for concern and an indication that we have no option but to be more
attentive, tolerant and receptive to all the control and prevention measures
that have been put in place.
May I remind EmaSwati that the measures being
implemented for the next 20 days include suspending all unnecessary travel
within cities, towns, communities and beyond, except for instances of providing
or acquiring essential services such as healthcare, food, or banking services.
All gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited. Gatherings that meet this
requirement are expected to observe proper hygiene standards and social
distancing of 1-2 metres is followed, among others.
Borders are closed for non essential travel. Only
goods and cargo as well as returning citizens and legal residents are allowed
movement through the borders. Government will ensure that all essential goods
and services continue to be available in the country over the partial lockdown
period. Returning citizens and residents are reminded that they will be
subjected to mandatory 14 days quarantine at designated locations except for
those who are able to self-isolate. More specifically, may I strongly advise
citizens returning from South Africa and other high risk countries to
immediately self quarantine for 14 days without exception. During the self
quarantine they should avoid physical contact with family members and stay
alone in well ventilated rooms.
Government has instructed employers to allow as
many as possible employees to work from home. Over the week, several Ministers
offered guidelines of what is expected from both employers and employees for
the duration of this partial lockdown period. Essential businesses should
continue operating at full strength with proper adherence to hygiene standards
and all the relevant measures of social distancing that will protect employees
from the pandemic. A list of essential services has already been published by
the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and includes health, banking,
security, energy, water services, media and others. The full list is available
in the Government website or you can call the free toll number 8001002.
Businesses that are not included in the list of
essential services are expected to scale down their operations and, most
importantly, meet the appropriate health and hygiene standards, failing which
they risk closure. We continue to engage business to cushion the effects of
this partial lockdown on their businesses, and more especially, to ensure full
compliance to the partial lockdown measures.
Government continues to engage all other relevant
sectors as we implement the response strategies to this pandemic. This also
includes Parliament.
I am happy to report that Parliament has passed
Coronavirus regulations that will enforce adherence to both the National
Emergency declaration actions and the partial lockdown measures. Security
forces are already on the ground ensuring compliance with the regulations and
have the powers to disperse gatherings of more than 20 people and enforce
processes that will lead to litigation of defaulters. Chiefs, traditional
authorities and community police will lead the way in ensuring total compliance
in communities.
Government has completed setting up the necessary
structures to fast track implementation of the National Response to the
outbreak of the COVID 19. These structures which include the Inter-Ministerial
Emergency Management Committee, National Emergency Task Force and the Technical
working group have already started intervening on behalf of government.
Regional Administration Offices have also activated regional disaster
management teams to the lowest level of administration to raise awareness on
coronavirus and improve preparedness and prevention of the scourge. Together
with the security forces, these committees have made a network across the
country that is well coordinated.
Regional Administrators are working with Chiefs and
traditional authorities to raise awareness at community level as well as to
protect families from contracting the virus. The Resource mobilization
Committee has started receiving donations for the National Response. These
resources are being put into good use. Hand washing facilities have been
provided to most municipalities and to key government institutions.
Delivery of important health equipment and material
is continuing and more orders have been placed to meet the need.
Government through the Ministry of Health continues
to respond the COVID 19 outbreak through the implementation of a Health
response plan.
Surveillance of the condition has been boosted by
the recruitment of more officers in the environmental health sector who shall
continue manning ports of entry including working together with the security
forces. Thermal scanners have been added and more are still awaited to ensure
adequate coverage.
The Ministry of Health is intensifying contact
tracing to provide information on the cases to be followed and monitor the
development of symptoms to inform need for testing. Training of health care
workers who are in the frontline is ongoing. This partial lockdown is very
essential to break the transmission of the virus. Disruption of the spread of
the virus will go a long way into defeating this global pandemic.
It is therefore crucial to re-emphasize the need to
adhere to restrictions of the partial lockdown particularly with reference to
limiting movement to only essential travel. Every citizen and resident is urged
to abide by the measures to ensure that the country contains the spread of the
virus. We must acknowledge the thousands of citizens who have taken these
restrictions in their stride.
May I also take this opportunity to emphasize that
His Majesty King Mswati III has declared tomorrow, Saturday 28 March 2020, a
fasting day and Sunday, a National Prayer day. We expect all EmaSwati
across all faiths to join in the fasting and prayer as we seek the guidance of
the Almighty God to help us sail through this challenge faced by the nation and
the world. It is through prayer that God protects us from all challenges. The
Book of Philippians 4:6-7 tells that, “Be anxious for nothing, but in all your
prayers ask God for what you need with a thankful heart: and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.” May I thank Their Majesties for leading the charge to come
closer to God.
This pandemic has presented us with the opportunity
to act in common purpose in order to protect each other as EmaSwati, but not to
panic. It is not the time to spread false information on social media. We have
no reason to panic if we are responsible and follow all the guidelines as provided
for by Government and the World Health Organisation.
As we observe the partial lockdown and restrict
unnecessary movement and stay at home, let us remember to follow the
precautionary guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health and the World
Health Organisation. These include:
- Our home environment should be kept clean and safe and all high touch surfaces must be disinfected regularly.
- Wash hands with running water and soap or use alcohol based sanitisers.
- Stop shaking hands and use other non touch methods of greeting.
- Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from each other.
- Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes) and cover coughs and sneezes.
- Take care of the vulnerable, especially senior citizens and those with underlying respiratory conditions who are more susceptible to the coronavirus infection.
- If you experience flu like symptoms (fever, difficulty breathing, cough, high temperature) visit your nearest health centre facility or call the Emergency Medical Services Toll free line 977.
Thank you.
Ambrose
Mandvulo Dlamini
PRIME
MINISTER
27 March
2020
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