AS THE fight against the COVID-19 continues, it is important to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to eradicate the pandemic so as to save man. And not only that, but to ensure that humanity can again resume life as we know it.
It is also important that businesses are saved because man will need the same businesses to survive.
In so saying, we want to appeal to our Lusaka minister, Mr Bowman Chiloshi Lusambo not to go ahead with his intentions of closing down businesses that contravene the health guidelines of providing masks to employees and other related issues.
In as much as everyone is determined to fight the COVID-19 by any means possible, it is important for those serving in government to be mindful of the need to respect the law.
On Monday social media was live with comments on Honourable Lusambo forcing unmasked passengers off public buses. Although the debate on this particular subject was evenly distributed, we would like to advise the minister to reflect a bit more on what he has to be done to help people understand why it is imperative to abide by the health safety guidelines.
We can appreciate the minister’s frustrations in trying to get Lusaka residents to abide by the new rules, which include wearing of masks in public places such as shops, markets as well as for passengers on buses.
The minister’s threat to close shops not adhering to the rules, received a backlash even from his followers and has caused some apprehension among Lusaka shop owners, who have justifiably asked that they be treated with respect and as provided for by the law.
In the morning yesterday, Mr. Lusambo threatened to close shops which were allegedly not complying with measures put in pace to control the disease.
He then toured some parts of the City in which he physically ejected commuters who were not masked up from buses as punishment for not respecting the directive by President Edgar Lungu for people to mask-up.
But when he later in the afternoon posted on his Facebook wall about what he has been doing to contain the spread of the disease, Mr. Lusambo received a backlash from some of his followers who said most of the things he was doing were illegal and that he was embarrassing the President.
We commiserate with the shop owners and would pray that even Honourable Lusambo would not act ao brazenly against legal entities without following the law. The existence of Statutory instruments no 21 and 22, does not in any way mean that the law can be disregarded.
The Lusaka Province minister and everyone else involved in this enforcement frenzy must be reminded to exercise caution because they are not just representing their offices, but Government, a government of laws and regulations. We know that Honourable Lusambo means well and needs the cooperation of everyone.
The fight against coronavirus or COVID-19 is on many fronts, from the front line staff of medical personnel, field workers and even those enforcing health guidelines, and all must mesh for this to be successful. Most importantly, all must be legally executed and above board.
He won’t need to argue with anyone. This is what South Africa is doing, fining anyone stepping out of the house without a permit. People must have an important reason and permit for going out to town.
