Swazi Observer

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PM WAITING FOR HEALTH REPORT

By Sifiso Nhlabatsi | 2020-10-02

PRIME Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini will only address the nation once Cabinet has looked at the COVID-19 status report from the ministry of health.

The report was only forwarded to his office yesterday by Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi and cabinet is expected to deliberate on it before any major pronouncements are made on the next level of the Partial Lockdown. Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini stated last night that the PM was aware that he had promised to make an announcemt on the ban of alcohol and other areas affected by the partial lockdown, but indicated that he could not move ahead without engaging the report from the health ministry with cabinet.

The PM had stated that the alcohol ban would be reviewed if the cases showed a decline and also getting guidance from the ministry of health.

Health minister Nkosi on Wednesday announced that the report was only going to be transmitted to the PM yesterday.

The government spokesperson said he could not speculate on the next Cabinet meeting until as advised by his principals. A host of stakeholders, liquor traders, sports, the entertainment industry and some businesses which were considered high risk are looking forward to the PM’s address for guidance.

Recommendations

Minister Nkosi could not divulge what their recommendations were with regards to the alcohol ban. She said the ministry advised Cabinet on what would happen if a certain sector was opened during the COVID-19 pandemic and then it is up to Cabinet on which step to be taken as this is a policy issue. The minister said it is not only the liquor ban that has been affected that needs to be lifted.

She said there were a lot of other factors to be considered by the ministry.

that need to be looked at.

Nkosi said the number of COVID-19 recoveries has shown an improvement but the ministry is hoping to attain a 90 per cent recovery rate.

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