The Swaziland National Association of Teachers has
urged the Swazi government to temporarily close all schools, colleges and universities
while a strategy is found to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement widely circulated on social media on
Thursday (12 March 2020) the trade union said it was worried ‘at the lack of
preparedness on the part of the Government to fight against the virus’.
It predicted many deaths unless the government took
action.
It said, ‘The SNAT is worried about the fact that no
measures have been put to fight back this spectre, particularly in public
places such as towns, cities and schools. Precautionary measures have not been
adequately put in place and that is a serious cause for concern.’
As of 13 March 2020 no confirmed cases of coronavirus had
been reported in Swaziland (eSwatini) but at least two people
were being tested. The number of confirmed cases in neighbouring South
Africa is growing.
The SNAT statement added, ‘Our weak health systems
surely lack the prerequisite capacity to deal with such, should the deadly
virus make a landfall within our borders. The government, until now, has not
identified even a single fully-capacitated hospital that is ready to address
such cases, should they be confirmed.’
It called on the government to declare a national disaster.
‘Certain strategies must be put in place: such as temporary closure of schools,
colleges and universities whilst adaptation and mitigation strategies are being
considered.’
Separately, on Thursday Minister of Health
Lizzie Nkosi told the Swaziland Senate that everyone was at ‘high risk’.
She said the government was investigating what to do with big
events where a large number of people will be present.
She said, ‘We also have to decide what we
are going to do with schools, are we going to close them or not.’
The Swazi cabinet was due to meet on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, the Times
of eSwatini reported on Friday there were calls
for government to consider banning foreign nationals from entering
the kingdom and to shut down the ports of entry to minimise the risk
of spreading coronavirus.
These were submissions made by the National Disaster Management Agency stakeholders
who included the health, water and sanitation,
education
and agriculture
food security sectors.
See also
Swaziland
closes informal border crossings as coronavirus strikes South Africa
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