The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and Malawi Police Service (MPs) say they are ready to deploy troops across the country to enforce the partial lockdown which will start on Saturday, 17th of April to 9th May, 2020.
President Professor Peter Mutharika on Tuesday announced a 21 day lockdown as a measure of controlling the spread of Covid-19, a deadly diseases caused by coronavirus which has so far killed two people in the country.
Speaking during MDF and Police joint press briefing on Thursday at Police Headquarters in Lilongwe, MDF Commander Major General Andrew Namathanga said the Army will work hand in hand with the police to enforce the lockdown order by the state president.
In his remarks, Acting Inspector General of Police Duncan Mwapasa said Police will arrest anyone who will defy the lockdown order.
He said people will be allowed to go to the markets and shops from 6am to 2pm but after 2PM, anyone without a permit will not be allowed to move around.
On protection of police and army officers Acting Police IG Mwapasa said: “There are some people who attack police officers, in such circumstances the law allows us to use necessary force to deal with such people.”
COVID-19, which is now a global issue, was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China.
Apart from partial lockdown please enforce travel ban. Is it because you politicians have minibuses?
Restrict inter region travels and special areas/ Districts travel ban. It is very easy to geographically zone the areas.
Those running away from quarantine and avoiding designated border crossings to face life in jail, etc.