Swaziland (eSwatini) has created a new offence of
spreading rumours or ‘unauthentic information’ about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
which carries a fine of E20,000 or up to five years imprisonment.
The Swazi Minister of Justice
Pholile Shakantu made the announcement on Friday (27 March 2020) as the kingdom
ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III started a 20-day partial lockdown.
Shakantu announced at a
press conference the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 issued under S43
of the Disaster Management Act of 2006 and approved by Parliament.
Shakantu also said, ‘The
business sector is also cautioned against unfair practices including the hiking
of prices especially on items considered essential at this time. Such person or
business may face a fine not exceeding E500,000 (US$28,000).’
At the same press
conference the Ministry of Health Principal Secretary
Dr Simon Zwane said there were now nine confirmed cases of coronavirus cases in
Swaziland. There had been no deaths.
Dr Zwane also said, ‘Government has been working with partners to conduct massive training
for health workers in the area of COVID-19 response and case management. In
total, 1,007 nurses have been trained on COVID-19. A total of 3,022 Rural
Health Motivators (RHM) have been trained.’
He said there would be restrictions
placed on patients at hospital. ‘Accompanying
of patients seeking out-patient services will be limited to one person per
patient. Hospital visiting hours for in-patients have now been reduced to twice
per day and limited to only two visitors per patient.’
Prime Minister Ambrose
Dlamini said, ‘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.’
He also said the
government would ensure that all essential goods and services continued to be
available during the partial lockdown.
He ‘strongly advised’
people returning to Swaziland from South Africa and other high risk countries
to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days ‘without exception.’
Dlamini added, ‘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.’
He said, ‘The measures
are now in full force and we expect all EmaSwati [Swazi people] 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.’
He added, ‘Government has
instructed employers to allow as many as possible employees to work from home.’
He said, ‘Essential
businesses should continue operating at full strength with proper adherence to
measures that will protect employees while those not included in the list are
expected to scale down their operations and meet the appropriate standards,
failing which they risk closure.’
Elsewhere, public
transport would now only run in the early morning and the late afternoon, Chairman
of the National Road Transportation Council Sihlangu Nhlabatsi announced on Thursday.
He said vehicles would have to observe the government’s directive involving the
social distance of one metre between passengers; disinfection of vehicles
and sanitisation of passengers at all times.
On Friday, Sports,
Culture and Youth Minister Harries Bulunga announced the suspension of all
forms of sport in the kingdom, including social sport.
See also
Full
details of known coronavirus cases in Swaziland
Swaziland
Govt publishes long list of exceptions to coronavirus ‘lockdown’
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
