Public Health (Corona Virus Prevention, Containment And Management) Rules, 2020 | Malawi, Lockdown

Author: Chizaso Eric Nyirongo  

Ref. No. Sub. D. 34:01

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Draft: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Management) Rules, 2020

8^th April, 2020

PUBLIC HEALTH (CORONA VIRUS PREVENTION, CONTAINMENT AND MANAGEMENT) RULES, 2020

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT

(Cap. 34:01)

PUBLIC HEALTH (CORONA VIRUS PREVENTION, CONTAINMENT AND MANAGEMENT) RULES, 2020

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 31 of the Public Health Act and pursuant to my declaration of the corona virus disease as a formidable disease on the 1^st day of April, 2020, I, JAPPIE CHANCY MTUWA MHANGO, Minister of Health, make the following Rules—

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

RULE

PART I ^___ PRELIMINARY

1. Citation  
2. Interpretation
3. Object and scope of Rules
4. Application of Rules

PART II — MEASURES

• Measures to prevent, contain and manage COVID-19 as a formidable disease
• Compulsory testing, detention, etc. to contain COVID-19
• Places of quarantine and isolation
• Certification of certain enforcement officers
• Assistance by area civil protection officers
• Essential services
• Lockdown
• Regulation of gatherings
• Regulation of workplaces
• Regulation of entry into Malaŵi
• Restrictions relating to transportation
• Prohibition relating to travel and permit requirement
• Restrictions on public entertainment and works
• Judicial proceedings

PART III — MISCELLANEOUS

1. Directives
2. Offences and penalties

SCHEDULE

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT

(Cap. 34:01)

PUBLIC HEALTH (CORONA VIRUS PREVENTION, CONTAINMENT AND MANAGEMENT) RULES, 2020

PART I – PRELIMINARY

1.   These Rules may be cited as the Public Health (Corona Virus Prevention, Containment and Management) Rules, 2020.

2.   In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires^___

“area civil protection officer” means an area civil protection officer referred to in section referred to in section 23 of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act;

“corona virus” means the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which emerged during 2019;

“COVID-19” means the official designation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11^th March, 2020;

“essential services” means services listed as essential services in the Schedule hereto;

“head of the institution” means the controlling officer of a public institution or the chief executive officer or the equivalent position of a private institution;

“enforcement officer” means—

• a health officer;
• a police officer;
• a member of the Malaŵi Defence Force;
• an immigration officer;
• an airport commandant;
• an officer in charge of a railway station;
• an officer in charge of a port facility; or
• an area civil protection officer designated pursuant to rule 9;

“gathering” means an assembly, concourse or procession of more than ten persons, whether wholly or partially in open air or in a building;

“isolation” means separating an individual infected with COVID-19 from healthy individuals in such a manner as to prevent the spread of infection or contamination by COVID-19;

“lockdown” means the restriction of movement of persons declared under Rule 11; and

“quarantine” means separating asymptomatic individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 from non-exposed individuals in such a manner as to prevent the possible spread of infection or contamination by COVID-19.

3.—(1) The object of these Rules is to enable the Minister to implement measures to prevent, contain and manage the incidence of COVID-19.

  (2) These Rules are enforceable whether or not a state of disaster in relation to COVID-19 is in force under the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act.

4.   These Rules apply to the whole of Malaŵi except where otherwise provided.

PART II – MEASURES

5.—(1) The Minister may, pursuant to the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable disease under section 30 of the Act prescribe measures to be imposed in order to prevent, contain and manage COVID-19 infection.

      (2) In pursuance of the object of these Rules and in addition to the powers granted to the Minister under section 31 of the Act, the Minister may, in consultation with any line Minister, and in conformity with any directions the line Minister may give, impose additional measures in order to prevent, contain and manage COVID-19.

(3) Where the Minister prescribes such measures or additional measures, he shall, soon thereafter, cause the measures to be published in the Gazette.

6.—(1) An enforcement officer may, in relation to an individual or group of individuals who are suspected of being infected with, or who may have recently been exposed to the risk of infection by corona virus, order any one or a combination of the following things—

• order the individual or individuals concerned to submit to a medical examination, instantly or at the time and place ordered, which examination may include but not be limited to the taking of a bodily sample by a health practitioner or other person acting under the supervision of a health practitioner;
• order the mandatory management or prophylaxis of the individual or individuals concerned;
• order the sequestration or disinfection or both of the baggage and personal effects of the individual or individuals concerned;
• order the disinfection or evacuation for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours or both of the homes of the individual or individuals concerned or of any building or premises wherein they work or gather for any purpose; and
• order the on-site detention, isolation or quarantining of the individual or individuals concerned, or their removal to a hospital or place of isolation or quarantine, and their detention at such site, hospital or place of isolation, pending the examination, management, prophylaxis or disinfection contemplated by paragraph (a) or (b), for a period expiring forty-eight hours after such order or until the certification of the individual or individuals concerned to be free of infection from COVID-19, whichever occurs later.

  (2) An enforcement officer may order any individual or group of individuals who have been confirmed, clinically or by a laboratory, as having COVID-19 to be quarantined for a period of not less than fourteen days within their homes or in a hospital or place of isolation and, during the period the quarantine is in force, to—

• submit to further medical examination including the taking of any bodily sample by a health practitioner or other person acting under the supervision of a health practitioner;
• be admitted or removed to a hospital or place of isolation; and
• undergo mandatory management or prophylaxis.

  (3) Orders made under sub-rule (1) or (2)—

• shall be communicated by any means whether verbal, written, broadcast or electronic and likely to make the orders known to the persons affected by the orders;
• that provide for the detention, isolation or quarantine of any individual or group of individuals shall make reasonable provision for the individual or individuals concerned, to—

• have access to or be provided with basic necessities to enable them to maintain an acceptable standard of nutrition and hygiene; and
• be released temporarily from such detention, isolation or quarantine under specified conditions with the knowledge or consent of an enforcement officer;

• where necessary, shall be enforced with the assistance of enforcement officers; and
• shall be recorded and authenticated by the enforcement officers who issued them, and be kept for a period of at least seven years in the event that they are required for the purposes of any audit or judicial proceedings.

(4) A person who—

• disobeys an order made under sub-rule (1) or (2); or
• having been ordered to be detained, isolated or quarantined in any place, removes himself from such detention, isolation or quarantine without the knowledge or consent of an enforcement officer, or contrary to any conditions specified for any temporary release from such detention, isolation or quarantine,

commits an offence and is liable to fine of twenty thousand Kwacha and imprisonment for three months.

  (5) A person who escapes or attempts to escape from any place of detention, isolation or quarantine may be arrested without warrant.

7.—(1) The Minister may identify or approve sites to be used as isolation and quarantine facilities for the temporary confinement and management of individuals or groups of individuals who are suspected of being infected with, or who may have recently been exposed to the risk of infection by, or who have been confirmed as having COVID-19.

  (2) The Minister shall as soon as practicable publish the sites identified or approved under sub-rule (1), by notice published in the Gazette.

  (3) Any person who disobeys or fails to comply with an order under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to fine of twenty thousand Kwacha and to imprisonment for one year.

8.—(1) The chief executive officer or district commissioner of every local authority, as the case may be, shall furnish each enforcement officer who is acting within the jurisdiction of the local authority with a certificate signed by or on behalf of the chief executive officer stating that he has been appointed as an enforcement officer for the purposes of these Rules.

  (2) An enforcement officer shall, on demand by any person affected by the exercise of the powers conferred upon enforcement officers under these Rules, exhibit the certificate issued to him under sub-rule (1).

9.   At the request of the Minister, an area civil protection officer referred to under the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act may designate other area civil protection officers who, in any local authority and acting under the guidance in that local authority of any enforcement officer, shall act as enforcement officers for the purposes of these Rules.

10.—(1) The services listed in the Schedule hereto shall be essential services.

(2) The head of the institution involved in the provision of an essential service or a person delegated by the head of the institution shall determine^___

• the essential service to be performed; and
• the staff who shall perform the essential service during the lockdown.

(3) After making a determination in terms of sub-rule (2), and at the request of the head of the institution, the Minister shall issue a permit to every person who shall perform the essential service.

(4) The permit referred to in sub-rule (3) shall^___

• specify the name and surname of the staff member;
• the identification number of the staff member; 
• the essential service to be performed;
• the name, address and contact details of the institution; and
• be signed by the Minister.

(5) A person performing an essential service^___

• shall, on request, show the permit issued to him under sub-rule (3) to an enforcement officer or any person in relation to whom he may seek to perform a function;
  • may be screened for COVID-19, by an enforcement officer.

(6) The Minister may, at any time, amend the Schedule, by notice published in the Gazette.

11.—(1) In furtherance of the measures imposed under section 31 of the Act, the Minister may declare a lockdown:

Provided that where the declaration has been made prior to its publication in the Gazette, the Minister shall, as soon as possible after making it, cause it to published in the Gazette.

(2) The Minister shall, in the declaration,—

• specify the date on which the lockdown commences and prescribe the duration of the lockdown;
• specify the area to which the lockdown applies;
• specify the persons to whom the declaration does not apply;
• seek the deployment of the Malaŵi Defence Force and Malaŵi Police Services to enforce the lockdown;
• allow the operation and provision of essential services;
• prescribe the manner in which any person may access essential services and acquire basic necessities of life; and
• specify any other matter he considers relevant.

(3) During a lockdown^___

• a person, except a person exempt under sub-rule (2)(c), shall^___

• be confined to his place of residence, except for any of the following reasons^___

• performing an essential service;
• obtaining essential goods or services;
• seeking medical attention; or
• visits to pharmacies, food supply stores, courts or banks;
• not enter into or depart from a restricted area;
• not travel from one restricted area to another restricted area; or
• not sell or purchase alcoholic beverages;

• all shops and businesses shall be closed, except those classified as essential services;
• all open markets and informal trading activities shall be closed;
• all entertainment places, including bottle stores, shebeens, bars, pubs and nightclubs, including those within hospitality facilities, cinemas, casinos and video shows, shall remain closed; and
• restaurants, fast food outlets, cafes and coffee shops shall be closed to the public except to provide take away services.

(4) The Minister may, extend or further extend the duration of the lockdown for a period not exceeding one month at a time, and the Minister shall, as soon as possible after making the extension, cause it to be published in the Gazette.

12.—(1) For the purpose of these Rules, a “public gathering” is a gathering of more than ten persons, for a collective purpose, but does not include a situation where such number of persons coincidentally find themselves at a specific place at the same time:

Provided that where any number of persons coincidentally find themselves at a specific place at the same time, they shall observe a spacing between each other of at least two metres apart.

(2) An enforcement officer may, during the implementation of measures prescribed by the Minister under these Rules regarding restrictions on movement, order a public gathering to disperse and may use reasonable force to disperse a public gathering.

(3) In order to further regulate public gatherings, the Minister may—

• suspend or regulate the conduct of and the number of persons present at any meeting;
• restrict the movements of persons by means of curfews in any local authority;
• make restrictions on public transportation;
• suspend the operation of markets and direct local authorities on the conduct, operation, opening and closure of markets;
• suspend or regulate the conduct of barber shops, hair salons, spas, saunas, massage parlours and similar close proximity services;
• regulate religious worship and restrict religious gatherings or meetings for the purpose of public worship in a local authority;
• suspend or restrict the operation and conduct of institutions of higher education, schools, early child development centres and adult literacy centres;
• suspension or prohibition of social gatherings including weddings, engagement ceremonies, baby or bridal showers;
• suspend cultural events and activities;
• restrict the conduct of funerals;
• compel the provision of sanitary or hygienic facilities at public events;
• compel the provision of adequate ventilation at a gathering;
• impose the maximum number of persons allowed to be present at a gathering.

(4) Any shop, market or kiosk selling or distributing essential products and basic necessities shall operate within prescribed COVID-19 guidelines, including—

• practice of sanitary and hygienic measures;
• provision of adequate ventilation;
• increasing trading hours in order to prevent congestion and overcrowding;
• enforcing inter-personal distance of not less than one metre.

(5) A person who contravenes this section or a measure imposed under this section, commits an offence and is on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand Kwacha and to imprisonment for three months.

13.—(1) The Minister may prescribe the following measures on employers and employees—

• operation of shifts for employees;
• the spacing between shifts for employees at a workplace;
• restrictions on the number of persons at any workplace at any time;
• the spacing between employees at a workplace;
• prevention of persons showing general symptoms of COVID-19 from accessing a workplace;
• where applicable, provision of isolation facilities at a workplace for employees showing symptoms of COVID-19;
• provision of personal protective equipment for all persons at a workplace;
• observance of sanitary and hygienic practices, including disinfection of the workplace and in between shifts.

14.—(1) In furtherance of the provisions of section 38 of the Act, every person who^___

• is not a Malaŵian citizen;
• does not hold a residence permit for Malaŵi;
• is not domiciled or ordinarily resident in Malaŵi;
• is not part of team of medical personnel that is required to provide medical services in Malaŵi to alleviate the COVID-19 pandemic;
• is not a member of the diplomatic or consular staff of a country that is accredited to Malaŵi or in transit to another country; or
• is not a spouse, child or dependent of a person referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e),

shall for purposes of preventing the introduction of COVID-19 into Malaŵi, be refused entry into Malaŵi.

  (2) Notwithstanding section 38 of the Act, a person who^___

• is a driver of a vehicle transporting essential goods;
• performs any service relating to the operation of the vehicle referred to in paragraph (a);
• performs an essential service relating to the transport referred to in paragraph (a); or

complies with or meets such requirements as may be determined by the Minister responsible for immigration in directives issued under these Rules or pursuant to the Immigration Act,

in the course of business or trade or commerce may be allowed to enter Malaŵi during the period of lockdown where entry is otherwise lawful.

15.   The Minister may prescribe any of the following measures with respect to operation of public transportation and regulation of traffic in Malaŵi ^___

(a) road transport^___

• reduction of seating capacity, including the necessary spacing between passengers on public service or private vehicles;
  • prohibition of operation of all passenger carrying vehicles without slide opening windows;
  • disinfection of a public service vehicle prior to commencement of every trip;
  • use of personal protective equipment by the operator and crew of the public service vehicle;
  • provision of sanitary and hygiene facilities on board;
  • prohibition or restriction of animals on board public service vehicles;
  • prohibition or restriction of passengers on goods vehicles; and
  • suspension of international or transit passenger travel;

(b) air transport^___

• suspension of commercial international or domestic flights;
• reduction of carrying capacity of aircrafts;
• disinfection of aircrafts and equipment on board prior to commencement of every trip;
• use of personal protective equipment by the operator and crew of all aircrafts, ground crew and other airport operators;
• provision of sanitary and hygiene facilities on board;
• prohibition or restriction of animals on board;
• restriction of passenger movements while on board;
• where applicable, mandatory provision of isolation cabins for persons showing general symptoms of COVID-19;
• suspension of casual visits by the public to airports; and
• restrictions on flights to^___

•  permit returning residents;
  •  entry of essential services personnel, essential equipment, emergency relief items; and
  • general cargo;

• water transport^___

• reduction of carrying capacity;
• disinfection of vessels and equipment on board prior to commencement of every trip;
• use of personal protective equipment by the operator and crew of all vessels;
• provision of sanitary and hygiene facilities on board;
• prohibition or restriction of animals on board;
• restriction of passenger movements while on board;
• mandatory provision of isolation cabins for persons showing general symptoms of COVID-19; and
• suspension of casual visits by the public to ports;

• rail transport^___

• reduction of carrying capacity;
• disinfection of coaches and equipment on board prior to commencement of every trip;
• use of personal protective equipment by the operators, ground and on board crew of all coaches;
• provision of sanitary and hygiene facilities on board;
• prohibition or restriction of animals on board;
• restriction of passenger movements while on board;
• mandatory provision of isolation cabins for persons showing general symptoms of COVID-19; and
• suspension of casual visits by the public to rail stations;

  (2) A person who contravenes sub-rule (1) commits an offence and is on conviction liable to a fine of twenty thousand Kwacha and imprisonment for three months.

16.—(1) Where an enforcement officer finds a person under circumstances which create a reasonable suspicion that the person is likely to contravene a restriction n movement, the enforcement officer may instruct the person to stop the journey in question and failure to obey the instruction shall be deemed to be a contravention of or failure to comply with the restriction, and that person is liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand Kwacha and to imprisonment for three months.

(2) Where a person has to travel to a restricted area or depart from a restricted area, for^___

• purposes of receiving essential medical management;
• purposes of attending a funeral of a close family member, an acquaintance or a dependant;
• purposes of assisting a close family member, acquaintance or dependant who is ill or otherwise suffers from a distressing situation; and
• any other reason which an enforcement officer considers sufficient to warrant the travelling,

that person may obtain a permit from an enforcement officer nearest to that person or at the point of entry into or exit from a restricted area, authorizing travel.

(3) A person is exempt from the requirement of obtaining a permit to travel as contemplated in sub-rule (2), if that travel is necessary to^___

• transport goods related to an essential service;
• perform an action necessary for the enforcement of law or public order;
• perform an essential service;
• facilitate the distribution of food or other basic necessities of life;
• maintain or repair infrastructure necessary or useful for the provision of water, electricity, communication or financial services; or
• perform any other essential service that cannot reasonably be postponed.

17.—(1) The Minister may prescribe any of the following measures with respect to public entertainment and works in Malaŵi ^__

• restrictions or closure of entertainment facilities, including bottle stores, shebeens, bars, pubs and nightclubs, including those within hospitality facilities, cinemas, casinos and video shows;
• restrictions of fast food outlets, restaurants and public eating facilities, including those in hospitality facilities;
• suspension of sporting activities; and
• suspension or prohibition of construction or other public works.

18.—(1) A judicial officer may use electronic means of hearing and conducting a matter as a primary means, including the service of documents, actual hearing of the parties, receiving evidence and making determinations.

(2) Where it is absolutely necessary that a matter be heard in chambers or in open court, a judicial officer presiding over a matter shall^___

• cause the chamber or open court where the hearing takes place to be disinfected prior to commencement of the hearing of the matter;
• ensure that persons in a closed space are sitting or standing at least two metres apart from each other in all directions;
• all persons in the chamber or open court have personal protective equipment during the proceedings;
• the chamber or open court is well ventilated;
• the hearing does not exceed two hours without a break of at least thirty minutes;
• ensure that, prior to entry into the chamber or open court, every person has practiced sanitary and hygienic measures, including washing of hands.

(3) The Chief Justice may^___

• issue directions to^___
  • prescribe the use of electronic means as a primary means of hearing, conducting and disposing of matters;
  • suspend the hearing of matters in chambers or open court;
  • prescribe the number of persons present in a chamber or open court;

suspend, extend or relax the procedure and time periods prescribed under the Supreme Court of Appeal Act, Courts Act and Local Courts Act;

• allow officers with underlying medical conditions to stay at home; and
  • address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in all courts in Malaŵi; and
• request the Minister to impose special measures in the manner of administering the courts in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.

   (4) Directions issued under sub-rule (2)(a) shall be regarded, and have the same effect, as directives issued under rule 20.

19.—(1) Where it is absolutely necessary that a sitting of the National Assembly shall take place, the Speaker shall^___

• cause the chamber to be disinfected prior to commencement of the hearing of the matter;
• ensure that any person in the chamber is sitting or standing at least two metres apart from each other in all directions;
• all persons in the chamber have personal protective equipment during the proceedings;
• the chamber is well ventilated;
• the proceedings do not exceed two hours without a break of at least thirty minutes;
• ensure that, prior to entry into the chamber, every person has practiced sanitary and hygienic measures, including washing of hands.

(2) The Speaker may issue directions to^___

• use of electronic means at the National Assembly in conducting the business of the National Assembly;
  • suspend a sitting of the National Assembly;

limit the number of persons who are not Members of Parliament to be present in the chamber, at any time;

• suspend, extend or relax the procedure and time periods prescribed under the Standing Orders of the National Assembly;
  • allow officers with underlying medical conditions to stay at home; and
  • address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the National Assembly.

(3) The Speaker shall, from time to time, request the Minister to prescribe special measures in the manner of administering proceedings in the National Assembly in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.

PART III – MISCELLANEOUS

20.—(1) The Minister may issue directives for the purpose of^___

• supplementing or amplifying on any provision of these Rules; or
• ensuring that the objectives of these Rules are attained.

(2) A directive issued under this rule has the force of law and may deal with any matter that is within the ambit of any legislation or other law that is administered by the Minister concerned.

(3) Any directive issued under this rule shall be^___

• vetted by the Attorney-General; and
• published in the Gazette.

  (4) A directive issued in terms of these Rules becomes effective on the date of its publication in the Gazette.

  (5) A directive may create offences for contraventions of, or failure to comply with, the directive and provide for penalties of a fine not exceeding twenty thousand Kwacha or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.

21.—(1) A person commits an offence if that person^___

• not being an enforcement officer, by words, conduct or demeanour falsely represents himself or herself to be an enforcement officer;
• hinders, obstructs or improperly attempts to influence an enforcement officer when exercising or performing a power or function conferred or imposed by or under these Rules or another law;
• furnishes or gives false or misleading information to an enforcement officer; and
• does anything calculated to improperly influence an enforcement officer concerning a matter connected with the functions of the enforcement officer.

  (2) A person convicted of an offence in terms of sub-rule (1) is liable to a fine of twenty thousand Kwacha and to imprisonment for three months.

SCHEDULE                                                 

(r. 2, 10)

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

PART I

1. Ambulance services

2. Casualties services

3. Theatre services

4. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services

5. Hospital wards

6. Laboratory services

7. Pharmaceutical services

8. Dental services

9. Radiography services

10. Physiotherapy service

11. Mortuary services

12. Medical services including medical specialized services

13. Hospital kitchen services

14. Hospital laundry services

15. Emergency management services

16. Disaster management services

17. Portable water services

18. Waste water management services

19. Utility services

20. Electricity distribution services

21. Electricity operation services

22. Electricity maintenance services

23. Electricity transmission services

24. Electricity network operation services

25. Electricity system operation services

26. Electricity system security and planning services

27. Electricity engineering services

28. Electricity energy trading services

29. Air navigation services

30. Air traffic management services

31. Communication, navigation and surveillance system services

32. Search and rescue services

33. Aeronautical information services

34. Meteorological services for air navigation services

35. Firefighting and related emergency services

36. Veterinary services

37. Law enforcement

38. National defence

PART II

1. Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Agricultural production and value chains (Animal husbandry, Agronomic and horticulture) supply related operations, including farming, veterinary and phyto-sanitary provider services, pest control services, feed and chemical and fertilizer remedies providers.

Millers & logistics services.

2. Fishing

Vessel and fishing processing plants maintenance and service providers.

3. Mining and quarrying

Related operations to maintain minimal mining operations and essential maintenance work.

4. Manufacturing

Manufacturing of health related products, hygiene and sanitary related products, supplies, devices, equipment, and medicines, including complementary health products and supplements; food, non-alcoholic beverages and essential products, as well as essential inputs thereto. This includes production for exporting the same product categories. Production for disposable health and hygiene and sanitary related products, as well as for the production of packaging for essential health and food supply chains. Food, beverages and essential products manufacturing and processing facilities, to the extent they are supporting essential or essential business continuity services to the fight of COVID-19.

5. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

Public and private organizations, their staff and service providers essential to the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning will need to continue to operate. This includes municipalities, and the suppliers of logistics, feedstock and maintenance will be required to continue to operate and provide security of electricity supply.

6. Water supply, purification, desalination, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities

Public and private organizations, their staff and service providers essential to the security of supply of bulk and potable water and sanitation must continue to operate and provide vital water and sanitation services. This includes municipalities and those involved in the supply of materials, chemicals and related equipment.

7. Construction

Any maintenance support requirements for retailers, manufacturers producing essential goods, support to medical services; plumbing and electrical services, security installations and maintenance, water management and sewerage. Building of medical infrastructures and quarantine camps in support of essential or essential business continuity services to the fight of COVID-19.

8. Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

Retail, wholesale, supermarkets / home kiosks for food and essential products. Essential hygiene products include: toilet paper, cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants, personal hygiene products, and essential supplies for those taking care of the sick and elderly and in order for people to remain healthy. All services related to the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles to continue in as far as are providing support to the fight of COVID-19.

9. Transportation, logistics and storage

Warehousing, transport, distribution, cold storage and logistics for food & essential products, production inputs and health related goods. This includes operations at all entry points.  Humanitarian and relief functions in the fight of COVID-19 will be permitted.

10. Accommodation and food service activities

To the extent that they are supporting essential or essential business continuity services to the fight of the COVID-19 subject to take away and not dinning in restaurants.

11. Information and communication

Communication and media services on screen, TV, radio, print, broadcast and online.

12. Legal, Financial, Banking and insurance activities

Legal, court, financial, banking and insurance services and health funders required to finance and support essential and essential business continuity and provide short term bridging finance to people and businesses during this period.

13. Professional, scientific and technical activities

Professional scientific and technical services, to the extent that they are providing support in the Covid-19 response, essential and essential services.

14. Administrative and support service activities

Private and public services to the extent that they are providing support in the Covid-19 response, essential and essential business continuity services.

15. Public administration and defense; compulsory social security

Personnel to the extent that they are providing support in the Covid-19 response, essential and essential business continuity services. Safety and security services protecting people and property.

16. Human health and social work activities

All centers providing life and health services; energy, food and water supply, social, transactional, communications, law and order & international essential business continuity services.

17. Information communications technology

Data centers, fiber optic infrastructure, towers and antennae will need to operate at high efficiency to ensure connectivity remains stable during the lockdown.

 Made this 8^th day of April, 2020.

J.C.M. MHANGO

Minister of Health   

(File No.: Sub. 34:01)