Zambia is expected to further ease its COVID-19 restrictions as the government aims to put the country’s economy on a path of recovery.
President Edgar Lungu on Thursday announced the reopening of Zambia’s international airports that have remained shut for weeks in efforts to stop importation of infections.
In a national address, the president said the reopening of international airports was expected to boost foreign tourism which has largely remained dormant since the government imposed the lockdown measures.
He however called for heightened surveillance in the airports to ensure the reopening does not pose a health challenge.
President Lungu however said bars and night clubs will remain closed while the remaining classes in schools and colleges will reopen once the cold season was over.
“As government, we have seen that the reopening of examination classes is already giving us vital information which we should take into account as we are considering resumption of the remaining classes as well as colleges and universities,” he said.
The Southern African country has registered 1,497 COVID-19 infections and 18 deaths, according to data from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
President Lungu however expressed satisfaction that measures announced in March were yielding positive results in stemming the further spread of the pandemic.
