Covid test kits arrive today
Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda says the country will receive new test kits from Europe today.
Chiponda, who is also Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 co-chairperson, said this in a written response to The Nation questionnaire on Sunday evening.
She said: “More test kits are coming this week. We have 10 000 test kits coming from African Union in Ethiopia arriving any day from tomorrow, and kits for 25 000 tests arriving most likely on July 21 from Europe.”
Chiponda’s co-chairperson, Dr John Phuka, announced on July 8 that test kits were in short supply nationwide and that the few available would be used to test only those that display Covid-19 symptoms.
On whether there is progress in court on the implementation of crucial coronavirus preventive measures, Chiponda said the Judiciary and Executive have a common goal to serve people in the country.
She said: “Our government observes the rule of law, so together with the Judiciary we will ensure that we have legal order to ensure rights-based support to our interventions against Covid-19.
“In the meantime, messages to the population on how each one of us should protect themselves are very clear.”
Last week, the task force withdrew strict preventive measures it had communicated on July 10 2020, but urged Malawians to follow preventive measures as the pandemic is spreading fast.
The withdrawal followed advice from Attorney General Chikosa Silungwe who said the High Court earlier suspended implementation of the same and therefore, the measures cannot take effect.
In Judicial Review Cause Number 22 of 2020, which was later certified as Constitutional Reference Number 1 of 2020, some individuals and civil society organisations are challenging the legality of the regulations from which the measures were made.
The AG is expected to file a submission to the High Court today.
Due to Covid-19, Malawi declared a state of National Disaster on March 20 2020 before registering its first three cases on April 2.
