Government responds to Tanzania on ‘porous borders’
By Patience Lunda:
The government has claimed that Malawi’s border posts are tight amidst Covid-19 which has so far infected 16 people in the country out of whom two have died.
Government spokesperson, Mark Botomani, was reacting to a move by the Tanzanian Government which wants to enhance security at the Malawi-Tanzania Border apparently because that country is not satisfied with measures the Malawian side has put up at the entrance.
Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, was quoted in Tanzanian newspaper The Guardian as having said that more illegal immigrants from Malawi continue to force their way into the east African country, hence need for beefing up security at the border post.
According to the Tanzanian Government, some Malawians were sent to 14-day quarantine after entering into the Kyela District without permits.
But Botomani said the Malawi government is making positive strides in making sure all border posts are secure.
“It is only truck drivers who are carrying essential goods that are allowed to enter the country, otherwise the security is intact and we have made sure that all border posts are able to screen all people entering country,” he said.
Health rights activist Maziko Matemba highlighted the need for countries in the Southern Africa Development Community to work together in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Monday’s updates showed that over 1.8 million people have been infected with the novel coronavirus out of whom at least 116,800 have died. Over 436,000 others have recovered from the virus.
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