Zambia issues new revised COVID-19 guidelines at points of entry
THE Ministry of Health and Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) have issued new revised COVID-19 guidelines for strengthening surveillance at points of entry for Zambia.
According to the guidelines issued by Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) director general Prof. Roman Chilengi and Ministry of Health permanent secretary Prof Lackson Kasonka, the
guidelines would apply to all international travellers entering through the Points of Entry to Zambia effective March 28, 2022.
“Fully vaccinated travellers do not require any form of negative COVID test results but shall be required to provide proof of a full vaccination status. ‘fully vaccinated’ means complete doses of a vaccine for example first and second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccines,” they stated.
The MoH and ZNPHI stated that international travelers who are not fully vaccinated must show proof of a COVID19 PCR test for a sample collected within 72 hours before departure from the country of origin.
“Re-testing at own cost will be applied for travellers who do not meet the above stipulation. In case of a positive result, self-quarantine at owner’s cost will be mandatory; following local Zambian protocols. Children below the age of 12 years are exempt from these measures.
Travellers from Zambia must ensure that the observe the guidelines of the countries they wish to visit,” it stated.
The MoH and ZNPHI further stated that
all arriving passengers will have their temperature checked.
“All travellers should hand over their health declaration forms to the Port Health
Officers,” stated MoH and ZNPHI.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, March 24th, 2022)
MoH stops mass COVID-19 testing as govt. fears it will run out of testing kits due to local and global demand
GOVERNMENT has disclosed that it cannot cope with mass COVID-19 testing due to local and global demand of diagnostic test kits.
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo says owing to increased community transmissions of the virus, her ministry has since revised testing criteria which will only prioritise those with symptoms.
Speaking at a media briefing this morning, Ms Masebo said the move is a logical approach adding that one in every three to four Zambians is infected, as such government cannot cope with mass test screening.
She said government will therefore prioritize testing individuals and grouping with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 such as individuals who are at risk of developing severe disease.
Ms Masebo said among those who will be prioritised are health care workers, those admitted in healthcare facilities with various ailments and symptomatic individuals in an institutionalised setting such as prisons, boarding schools and training camps.
“We advise that if you are a contact to a known case or at risk of acquiring the disease but have no symptoms, you do not need to be tested but must observe enhanced prevention measures. If you develop symptoms at any point, please get to the health facility for examination and possible testing,” she said.
And the Minister has disclosed that in the last 24 hours the country has recorded 1,485 new COVID-19 cases out of 5,389 tests conducted countrywide, giving a national positivity of 28%.
She said five deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours, with two classified as COVID-19 deaths and three as COVID-19 associated deaths.
The Minister further said in the last 24 hours,a total 20,526 vaccine dose records which brings the total number of doses that have been administered to date to 1,941,928.
(Mwebantu, Monday, January 10th, 2022)
Some priests on the Copperbelt province test positive to COVID-19 amid Christmas celebrations
CATHOLIC Diocese of Ndola Bishop Benjamin Phiri has disclosed that some priests have tested positive to COVID-19.
Dr Phiri has since provided new guidelines ahead of Christmas celebrations amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.
In his latest communication to perishes on the Copperbelt province, Bishop Phiri said Christmas vigil and Christmas day masses will go ahead with strict health measures in a well spaced environment.
He has urged priests to increase the number of masses to avoid overcrowding.
“At Parishes where Priests have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the church building must be fumigated immediately and repeatedly after each Mass celebration and a stand in Priest will be sent to help the sick one,” he said.
And the Bishop has cancelled all his visitation to parishes lined up during the Christmas period.
He said new arrangements will be made when the COVID-19 situation normalizes.
Bishop Phiri has further urged christians in the diocese to religiously follow guidelines on COVID-19 provided by the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the Cathedral of the Child Jesus has cancelled the celebration of mass for two weeks after a number of parishioners tested positive to Covid-19.
Cathedral administrator Father Timothy Lubunda has told Mwebantu that all the offices will be closed has well as gatherings will not be allowed to take place.
“This has been a hard decision to make but our people’s health comes first as we serve our God,” he said.
(Mwebantu, Friday, 24th December, 2021)