As Swaziland (eSwatini) faces months without
adequate numbers of coronavirus vaccines, and with a third wave
of the pandemic feared, Acting Swazi Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced
further restrictions to everyday life.
He said
in a statement that the daily number of coronavirus
(COVID-19) cases increased since the first week of June 2021, ‘and currently
remains above 10 cases per day on average. This represents a more than doubling
of COVID-19 cases that are being diagnosed since the beginning of June.’
He said on Friday (11 June 2021) Swaziland had recorded
82 new cases in the past week alone with three recorded deaths in the past
three days.
‘These numbers are a serious cause for concern
particularly when we consider that from mid-March we were averaging five daily
cases and had gone 18 days without any new recorded death.
‘This is really concerning and provides a clear
indication that a third wave of the pandemic is closer than we may think.’
He added, ‘As we began the month of June 2021, we have
realised a 20 percent increase in new cases for two consecutive weeks and the
increase in positivity rates for COVID-19 to 2 percent.
‘Although this increase may seem minimal, the numbers
are a warning call for us to take swift action to prevent an uncontrollable
increase in infections and minimise the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the
population and the health system.’
Restrictions of one kind or another have been in place
since March 2020, with relaxations and tightenings made over time.
Now, Masuku announced a raft of measures to take
effect Monday 14 June 2021:
1. Religious gatherings:
Religious establishments will only be allowed to host
one weekend daytime service, within a maximum of two and a half hours. All
other standard protective measures should be in place including 1.5m social
distancing.
2. Community meetings:
Indoors: Only a maximum
of 50 people can attend and this should be held within two hours. All other
standard protective measures should be in place including 1.5m social
distancing.
Outdoors: A maximum of 100
people can attend and this should be held within two hours. All other standard
protective measures should be in place including 1.5m social distancing.
3. Sports:
Only sporting codes categorised as low and middle risk
will be allowed to operate as well as high level football such as Premier
League, National First Division and National Teams. These activities will
continue as per the guidelines previously outlined by the Ministry of Sports,
Culture and Youth Affairs. Only formal sections of these sporting codes are
permitted and thus social and informal sport remains strictly prohibited.
4. Alcohol:
Liquor outlets will be permitted to sell alcohol from
Mondays to Thursdays, between 9am and 5pm. Alcohol remains strictly for home
consumption only.
5. Entertainment and Arts:
Entertainment and arts activities are allowed only in
outdoor or open spaces with a maximum of 200 people in attendance with a
duration of two and half hours and strict adherence to safety protocols.
6. Funeral and Memorial Services:
A maximum of 50 people can attend funeral services and
they should be held within 2 hours. All other standard protective measures
should be in place including 1.5m social distancing. Memorial services, night
vigils and Kufukama are strictly prohibited.
7. Weddings/Kuteka:
A maximum of 50 people can attend. The activity should
be held within a maximum of 2 hours. All other standard protective measures
should be in place including 1.5m social distancing.
8. Shopping:
All shopping outlets will operate between 8am and 7pm.
All other standard protective measures should be in place including 1.5m social
distancing.
9. Public Transport:
Public transport vehicles are allowed to carry 100
percent sitting capacity, no standing. Standard measures including the wearing
of face masks and sanitising should be implemented at all times.
10. Restaurants and food outlets:
Standard protective measures should be in place
including social distancing of 1.5m. No alcohol should be sold or served after
7pm.
11. Education:
Schools at all levels will remain open and will
continue to implement the blended learning approach [online and in-person
classes] where applicable.
Swaziland received only 14,400 doses of the
Astra-Zeneca vaccine this week when
it needed 500,000 for the population of about 1.1 million
people.
On distribution of the vaccines, Masuku said, ‘We will
start with health workers who received the first dose and those who are yet to
be vaccinated. We continue to source more vaccines in spite of the global
challenges experienced in vaccine access and we request for patience among the
public.’
See also
Swaziland runs out of
coronavirus vaccines, only 35,000 people treated
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/05/swaziland-runs-out-of-coronavirus.html