Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday said his government would be forced to impose tough measures if people continue to disregard COVID-19 preventive measures.
Lungu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the government was carefully watching the situation, the evolution of the pandemic and adherence to preventive measures following a second wave being witnessed in other parts of the world and Africa.
“A worsening situation will leave us with no choice but to institute stricter public health measures,” he said in a statement.
He added that the threat of a second wave in Zambia was becoming a concern considering what was going on globally and regionally.
He added that the onus was on citizens to remain responsible in order to curtail the outbreak.
The Zambian leader said that he was dismayed over lack of adherence to public health measures that had resulted in a sudden increase and geographical spread of the pandemic in the country in the last two weeks.
According to the Ministry of Health figures, Zambia’s COVID-19 cumulative figures stand at 18,456 while 17,635 patients have been discharged.
The country has recorded 369 deaths since the pandemic broke out in March.
According to him, it is mandatory for people to continue wearing face masks, maintain social distance and avoid shaking hands that are still in place and have not been lifted.