The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government is once again to
ease the coronavirus lockdown in the kingdom. When
it tried to do this three weeks ago it reversed
its decision within days because it encouraged people to lack vigilance in
preventing the transmission of the virus.
Swaziland which is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III has been in lockdown for six weeks since 27 March 2020. Businesses have been restricted, travel severely limited and gatherings of more than 20 people banned.
Swaziland which is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III has been in lockdown for six weeks since 27 March 2020. Businesses have been restricted, travel severely limited and gatherings of more than 20 people banned.
At least 300,000
face severe hunger as people cannot afford to buy food because they no
longer have paid jobs.
On Wednesday (6 May 2020) Swazi
Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced new rules that would ease the
lockdown but not end it completely.
His announcement came on the same day Lizzie Nkosi,
the Minister of Health, reported the second death from coronavirus (COVID-19)
in Swaziland. There have also been 123 confirmed cases of the virus.
Dlamini announced, ‘the gradual opening of the economy’.
He said, ‘The formal and informal economy must be given the impetus to come
back to life and feed the countless families spread around our beautiful
Kingdom. The importance of having a vibrant economy that creates jobs and
supports livelihoods needs no reminder.’
He detailed the changes as follows:
1. Manufacturing and Production companies that
have international orders to fulfil. They shall operate under strict WHO and
Ministry of Health Guidelines.
2. Agents and Consultants to operate three
times a week
3. Furniture Shops shall open three times a
week; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 3pm.
4. Dry Cleaners shall also operate under
similar conditions as furniture shops.
5. Retail Clothing Shops, tailors and dressmakers (that
produce face masks and PPE) to operate three times a week – Monday, Wednesday
and Saturday between 9am and 3pm.
6. Vehicle testing stations shall operate three
times a week.
7. Deco Shops to operate three times a week.
The Prime Minister said, ‘These businesses will have
to demonstrate capability to implement strict COVID-19 regulations and hygiene
standards to prevent the spread of the virus. They will have to seek permission
to operate from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade where they will
prove that they have put in place very strong and stringent systems adhering to
health precautions and ensuring that employees are able to practise social
distancing, have adequate hand washing facilities, sanitizers, wear masks,
among others.’
He added, ‘Any company failing to meet or comply with
these precautionary measures will either be closed or denied permission to
operate. It is important to emphasize that the eased measures do not mean all
business will be allowed to operate.’
Social, sports and entertainment activities and
gatherings remain banned until further notice.
Everyone else will be expected
to stay at home. Schools and colleges would remain closed.
Public transport will be allowed to operate at 70
percent capacity in a controlled manner and time. There will be strict
adherence to the wearing of masks for all passengers.
At present Swazi police are giving on-the-spot fines
to people found out of their homes for no legitimate reason.
The Prime Minister said, ‘There should be no reason to
leave home except for workers in the permitted businesses and for citizens
strictly looking for food or medical attention.’
He added in time the government would categorise areas
of Swaziland as red, orange, yellow and green zones according to their levels
of risk.
‘This is aimed at introducing a variable application
of the partial lockdown from one specific geographical location to another,’ he
said.
He added, ‘At the current rate, the Manzini region,
and in particular the Manzini peri-urban and surrounding areas are classified
as a red zone. Other cities and towns are categorised as orange zones.’
He said, ‘This zoning strategy will help government to
target specific interventions to affected areas efficiently, such as testing,
fumigation and decontamination of public spaces.’
See also
Coronavirus
lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes
Army,
police close down Swaziland’s main commercial city in bid to halt coronavirus
spread
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