Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Friday admitted that political party gatherings, like any other gathering, may spark the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
The minister was responding to a question, after launching the Mchinji Border Covid-19 Isolation and Screening Centre, on whether the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 advised President Lazarus Chakwera to avoid whistle-stop tours which could attract multitudes and increase the risk of Covid-19 spread.
The development come as Chakwera on Friday conducted whistle-stop rallies on his way to Mzuzu.
Chiponda, who is co – chairperson of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, said they are equally concerned when Covid-19 measures are not respected.
She said: “Regardless of the situation, any gathering is a high risk area for Covid-19, our regulations are very clear that any gathering must be less than 250 people.
“We say 250 people is just a number, even if you are 10 people and one of you has Covid-19, the risk is very high. To us as the Ministry of Health, any gathering whether political or entertainment, those are super spreaders.”
The isolation centres at Songwe, Mchinji, Dedza and Mwanza borders were built with support from the British Government.
In his remarks, British High Commissioner David Beer said his government, in partnership with TradeMark East Africa, is proud to support the Malawi Government in the fight against Covid-19.
He said: “Already this has achieved remarkable results, keeping key officials and traders safe, and reducing clearance times for essential goods from three days to three hours.
