The BuyZed Campaign has called for the suspension of passenger transport to and from Lusaka for a period of seven days to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Organization Founder Evans Ngoma told Money FM News that Positive cases are on the rise in Lusaka and that it is key to know with certainty where they are coming from and more importantly contain the spread.
Mr Ngoma said it would be prudent to take a bold decision by isolating Lusaka from the rest of the country so that intensive testing, contact tracing, isolation and containing is done like it was done in Kafue before more lives are lost.
“This must be addressed. We know that COVID-19 doesn’t spread itself but people do, hence countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe have gone on lockdown to minimize the spread. Our view is whatever route we take must be driven by the need to protect loss of lives whilst doing all we can to test, trace, isolate and contain.”
“With passenger transport to and from Lusaka, we feel it should be suspended just for a short period of seven days. Can you imagine if it is actually being migrated to and from other provinces? It will be difficult to manage if the pressure increases on available health infrastructure,” Mr Ngoma said.
He added that the delivery of essential goods and services can continue after screening the drivers so as not to disturb availability to feed and provide medication for the people.
“These measures would help stop further spread of the COVID-19. Together we can fight this pandemic. Let us practice social distancing, stay at home and only move when necessary. There is no other way we must screen, test, trace, isolate and contain,” he stated.
Zambia has recorded 76 COVID-19 cases, and the number of active cases stands at 36, 4 on the Copperbelt, 1 in Kabwe and 31 in Lusaka.