Zambia government on Friday announced it has decided to reopen all learning institutions in the country as there has been an insignificant number of coronavirus cases following the reopening of examination classes, reported Africa News.
Speaking during the official opening of the National Assembly in Lusaka, President Edgar Lungu said his government is also going to reopen bars on a pilot basis.
“I announce the reopening of all schools, colleges and universities with caution, between September 14 and 18, subject to adherence to public health guidelines,” President Lungu said.
The Zambia president said that the education sector has suffered huge financial and other losses since institutions were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since the reopening of examination classes, I have observed and confirmed that there has been an insignificant number of pupils and students who have contracted Covid-19,” President Lungu said.
According to the coronavirus case tracker Worldometer, Zambia had reported 13,214 coronavirus cases as of September 11, and 300 deaths.
After reporting the first coronavirus case on March 18, the Zambia government had shut all entertainment locations, sending most businesses into a nosedive and leading to job losses.
“I announce partial reopening of these outlets – from Friday to Sunday – with immediate effect but with serious caution,” the President said.
He also gave details about the government’s plans to boost economic growth.
In related news, the Turkish government has announced it will donate 20,000 face masks to Zambia to help the southern-central African country fight the novel coronavirus.
The global coronavirus pandemic has led to deaths of over 909,670 people in 188 countries and regions since it originated in Wuhan, China last December. The US, India, Brazil, and Russia are among the worst-hit countries.
According to the Johns Hopkins data, over 28 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 18.9 million.
