Mozambique: CIP and IMD welcome decision to maintain restrictions on face-to-face classes and religious services

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Mozambique: CIP and IMD welcome decision to maintain restrictions on face-to-face classes and religious services

4:53 CAT | 17 Jul 2020

Photo: Presidency of the Republic

The Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) and the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) understand that President Filipe Nyusi made the correct decision in keeping the restrictions on face-to.face classes and religious services in Mozambique.

The opinion of the two civil society organisations’ representatives is based on the fact that the cases of COVID-19 have been increasing exponentially in recent weeks and that there are still no conditions for the resumption of the above mentioned activities, with both topics subject to widespread debate during the past few days.

According to Dércio Alfazema, researcher at IMD, this decision was the result of pressure from public opinion, against re-opening of schools.

“The president made a very correct, timely and responsible decision, but he made a balance between what is public opinion, what were civil society opinions and also, what were the consultations with other government institutions, namely the Ministry of Education, which consulted parents and school administrators and the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, which consulted the churches ”, he said.

Alfazema pointed out that, nevertheless, the measures – including resuming classes and religious services – remain valid but all must be made to ensure the safety of students and believers.

Borges Nhamirre, a researcher at CIP, says that the President’s was a pleasant surprise decision, even more so because the date for resumption of face-to-face classes had already been established and preparations were underway. Notwithstanding, he notes, evidence showed that there were no conditions for a re-opening.

“The Ministry of Health’s slogan already says that our greatest value is life, so people cannot be put at risk, and the President of the Republic stated that this suspension is to delay the peak of the disease, so as not to overload the health system, pending the discovery of a cure or a vaccine for the disease, ”said Nhamirre

Nhamirre clarifies that even with the end of this State of Emergency, the restrictions may continue, until the churches, schools and guardians are properly prepared for the return to normality.

Both Alfazema and Nhamirre were interviewed today by STV’s ‘Manhã Informativa’ program [Morning News].

Source: O País