Starting Monday March 30, 2020, the country has been in lockdown, which will be 21 days long. We are now on Day 5 and people in the province and the country at large have largely taken heed of the need to stay at home and stay safe.
Exceptions:
Critical movement of goods, key utilities that is power, water, etc.
Security deployment to complement civilian efforts.
Funerals exempted, but numbers should be less than 50.
Refuelling motorists must not to leave their vehicles.
Food stalls allowed to operate, none food stalls closed.
Public transport stopped except for Zupco and PSC buses.
Toll-free hotline number is 2019.
Testing and diagnostics centralised at Provincial level.
Social media alarmist to be punished.
Business encouraged to support employees.
What is COVID-19?
There was an outbreak of a new coronavirus in China in December 2019. It has been named COVID-19. This disease has spread to other countries.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold, to more severe diseases.
How is COVID-19 spread?
The COVID-19 is highly infectious and can spread easily. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with droplets from an infected person through:
- The air via coughing and sneezing.
- Close contact with an infected person such as touching or shaking hands.
- Touching an infected object then touching the mouth or eyes without washing hands.
- Contact with sick or wild animals.
How can I reduce the risk of infection with COVID-19?
- Avoid close contact (less than 1 meter) with anyone, especially if they have cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Prevent unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
- Cover the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue paper or flexed elbow.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Self-isolate for 14 days if you have come from a country with cases or have been in proximity to those with COVID-19.
- Avoid travelling to countries, cities or local areas were COVID-19 is spreading.
Some of the information contained in this article was provided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care