Malawi issues order to close borders for 14 days to tackle COVID-19 resurgence

"New resolutions on prevention of Covid-19 that have been made for implementation in the next 14 days are to protect Malawians from the pandemic especially now that they are going for Christmas holidays."

The Malawi government has laid guidelines to close border entries and public gatherings to not exceed 100 people seeing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, according to a report by Capital FM Malawi.

Reportedly signed by the Presidential Task Force earlier on Tuesday, the country recorded new 46 COVID-19 cases nearly after a duration of two months adding to a total of 6,248, with the death of 187 people in the country, the Health Ministry said.

It stated, "new resolutions on prevention of Covid-19 that have been made for implementation in the next 14 days are to protect Malawians from the pandemic especially now that they are going for Christmas holidays".

Only land borders will be closed as airports will remain open with more strict measures to ensure that all people flying in are Covid-19 negative.Imported cases according to the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 continue to rise at an alarming rate.

— Capital FM Malawi (@CapitalFMMw) December 22, 2020

However, the task force reportedly said that only those performing essential services personnel like carrying medicines and fuel would be allowed to cross the borders. It also added that the natives who are arriving in the country would also be allowed.

It urged, "religious leaders and other stakeholders are being encouraged to enforce the regulation as law enforcers will also be playing their part".