The Government of Swaziland (eSwatini) has published a
long list of occupations that will be exempted from the 20-day lockdown
against the coronavirus recently announced.
The Minister of Public Service Christian Ntshangase said at any one time half all public servants will be
expected at work while the other half worked from home.
He told a press conference on
Wednesday (25 March 2020), ‘All
essential services within the civil service including fire and emergency
services, health services, meteorology services and security services will not
be affected by this new system as they are expected to be fully at work.’
At the same press
conference the Swazi Commerce
Minister
Manqoba Khumalo identified the following industries as essential during the partial
lockdown: food retailers, consumer goods suppliers, manufacturers, agriculture and
agro-processing, public transport, cross-border transport, fuel stations, financial
services, waste disposal services, health workers and emergency response workers,
fire and emergency services, security services, water and sanitation services, pharmacies
and telecommunications.
On Tuesday King Mswati III, Swaziland’s absolute
monarch, declared
the kingdom was to go into partial lockdown for 20 days from 27 March 2020.
He banned people from
making all unnecessary movements and visits outside the perimeters of their
home ‘except to provide or acquire essential services’.
Non-essential travel
between towns, cities and regions of the country is no longer permitted, except
for medical reasons or to provide or acquire essential services. Public transport
will continue to operate only for essential movement and with one metre
distance between passengers. All bars are to closed but bottle stores will be
allowed to operate from 11am–6pm on Mondays to Saturdays.
Schools, colleges and
universities were closed last week after King Mswati declared
a state of emergency.
As of 25 March 2020 there
have been no reported deaths in Swaziland from coronavirus. Five people have
reportedly tested positive.
At Wednesday’s press
conference Agriculture Minister Jabulani Mabuza said the government
would ensure that there were no food shortages during the partial lockdown. ‘We
have instructed all importers of critical grains to stock up sufficient volumes,’
he said.
Mabuza added, ‘We request community leaders to indicate shortages of
basic food items in their communities so that we can facilitate availability.
We also encourage those who have food commodities to use them sparingly and
practice barter trade with those in need.’
See also
King puts
Swaziland into partial lockdown in bid to beat coronavirus. Army and police on
standby
Swaziland
King declares state of emergency over coronavirus. Schools closed, foreign
travel suspended
Swaziland
King in self-isolation over coronavirus threat, more cases confirmed
Coronavirus:
Swaziland hospitals in crisis, PM forms emergency task groups
Swaziland
hospital thrown into confusion as suspected coronavirus patient admitted
Swaziland
nurses refuse to treat patients until they get protective equipment
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/03/swaziland-nurses-refuse-to-treat.html
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