Covid-19: Mozambican president threatens to reverse easing of restrictions

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Covid-19: Mozambican president threatens to reverse easing of restrictions

2:55 CAT | 08 Sep 2020

Photo: Noticias

Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi warned yesterday that he would re-impose restrictions in the event of a massive violation of Covid-19 prevention measures, citing unruly consumption of alcohol and disrespect for social distancing on beaches.

Filipe Nyusi issued his warning in an address to the nation on the 46th anniversary of the signing of the Lusaka Accords on Monday – initialled on September 7, 1974, by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) and the Portuguese government, and establishing the conditions for the declaration of Mozambican independence on June 25, 1975.

“We will watch [people’s conduct] for a while longer, and if this prevails, we will roll back [the easing of the measures],” the Mozambican head of state declared.

Filipe Nyusi said that he had learned “with displeasure” of the many people consuming excessive alcoholic and ignoring social distancing on some beaches in the country over the long weekend created by the Lusaka Accords public holiday.

“We are not going to allow people’s lives to be put in jeopardy,” Filipe Nyusi said.

The Mozambican head of state stressed that the end of the State of Emergency and the entry into force of the State of Public Calamity yesterday does not mean the cessation of health security measures.

“What we want to do is to combine the binomial between health security and the economy. We appeal, once again, for strict compliance with preventive measures,” President Nyusi said.

The country entered a State of Public Calamity at 0h000 on September 7, with a third package of measures alleviating restrictions imposed in the state of emergency framework in force since April 2.
Mozambique had by Monday recorded 27 Covid-19 deaths from a cumulative total of 4,557 confirmed cases, with 2,697 recoveries.

Source: Lusa