By Kwanta Douglas –
Zambia has launched a slew of COVID-19 prevention measures aimed at averting a spike in cases in light of a new variety found in the southern African region and an expected fourth wave.
The sanctions, revealed at a press conference on Sunday night, will take effect on Tuesday and will last for one month.
All public employees must be vaccinated before being allowed to work, and all government institutions will require a COVID-19 certificate.
Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, stated that the decision to vaccinate all public employees will be made in conjunction with trade unions.
Travelers from high-risk nations would be quarantined for 10 days at their own expense in designated locations, she said, adding that surveillance will be increased at all points of entry.
Masebo said Zambia has not yet recorded any cases of the new Omicron variant, which was reported in some neighboring countries, and that it is important to put in place measures because of regular travels among countries in the region.
The government will open more vaccination centers across the country as it targets to inoculate 2 million eligible people by the end of the year, she said.
Other measures announced include mandatory wearing of face masks in public, and no person will be allowed to enter markets and bus stations without wearing a face mask.
Churches will only be allowed to meet three times a week for only one hour each, while nightclubs, casinos and bars will only be operating four days in a week, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“The measures have been put in place to avert the risk of a fourth wave and the threat of the new variant, Omicron,” Masebo said.
As of Saturday, Nov. 27, Zambia had reported 210,138 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,667 deaths.
Xinhua