Zambia bars to remain closed despite pressure on president

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has said he will not allow bars and nightclubs to reopen, despite mounting pressure from business-owners to do so. 

President Lungu ordered all non-essential businesses, including bars and nightclubs, to  close two months ago in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants, cafes, gyms and casinos have since been allowed to reopen, however bars and nightclubs remain closed, prompting accusations of unfair treatment by owners. 

The president said that although he has received recommendations from stakeholders to reopen bars and nightclubs, such a decision will be guided by socio-economic and health considerations. 

"Yes, the recommendations have been received but we need to be careful because the numbers have not dropped and this is the month that we are told could decide how the pandemic evolves," Mr Lungu said in a statement issued by his spokesman Isaac Chipampe.

Zambia currently has a total of 1,382 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 11 deaths.

President Lungu’s statement urged business owners and their patrons to be patient, adding that nightclubs were not being singled out, with airports and many sports venues remaining closed as well.restaur

He said Zambia had done well to stem the spread of the coronavirus so far and that it would be a disaster to undermine this progress. 

Photo: AFP