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Ref: 200409/URG
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT
To: The Asian Business Community of Blantyre, Limbe and Zomba
From: The Asian Business Community COVID-19 Task Force
The rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Malawi and the urgent and pressing need to contain this at this early stage whilst we have this window of opportunity.
After extensive discussions and deliberations with business captains, it is evident that the Asian Business Community is a critical component for the survival of major industries in the country.
After careful efforts to mitigate the financial loss to the value chain of businesses and the national economy, the ABC COVID-19 Taskforce has come to the following difficult decision as an essential step to protect lives, especially when considering our very fragile health delivery system:
ALL businesses and community members are hereby given a directive for a PARTIAL COMMUNITY LOCKDOWN effective Thursday midnight being 9th April 2020 for a period of 14 days ending 23th April 2020 based on the following conditions:
1. Everyone over the age of 53 years must stay within the confines of their home.
2. ALL domestic staff over the age of 53 to be given a paid 14 days leave
3. All those with existing underlying health conditions to stay within the confines of their home.
4. Womenfolk (if not main breadwinners) and children are to remain within the confines of their home. (except in the case of emergencies).
5. ONLY the bread winner of the family may leave the house to go to work between 6am till 7pm.
6. Non- breadwinners may only go out to get medical supplies, food/ essential
household items.
7. Restaurants must operate on a delivery or take out basis ONLY.
8. No one should leave their home after 8pm till 6am unless in an emergency.
9. Based on clear Government of Malawi directives all places of social gatherings (clubs, bars, shisha lounges) must be closed and restaurants will only offer take away services till 8pm.
10. All non-essential travel, such as travel to Mangochi, Lilongwe or recreational areas for the Easter weekend should be cancelled.
11. At respective business work place all necessary precautionary measures such as social distancing, hand washing, wearing of masks and gloves etc must be strictly adhered to.
The same caution and strict measures apply on returning home from work place; Refer to Guidelines in Hygiene Practices that we all to be strictly adhere to.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any member of the community found violating this PARTIAL COMMUNITY LOCKDOWN without a valid reason, strict action by community elders will be taken against them including a penalty of MK500,000.
Whilst we appreciate that this directive may be challenging for some and may affect our lifestyle in one way or another, it is important to state that we have reached this decision only after lengthy consultations with medical professionals and are doing this in the best interest of us all.
It gives me great pride to state and thank the business community in maintaining a very low mark up on groceries, essential goods and medical supplies during this pandemic.
This truly reflects the generosity of the community and I pray that we all will continue to support the vulnerable through in this manner.
Given the circumstances we must all be prepared to make sacrifices for everyone’s benefit.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
It is my prayer that everyone will adhere strictly to this directive and together we can overcome this pandemic.
May the Almighty guide and protect us all in these stressful times - Ameen.
Faizal Aboo
Chairman, Asian Business Community (ABC)
Covid-19 Taskforce
9th April 2020
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT
To: The Asian Business Community of Blantyre, Limbe and Zomba
From: The Asian Business Community COVID-19 Task Force
The rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Malawi and the urgent and pressing need to contain this at this early stage whilst we have this window of opportunity.
After extensive discussions and deliberations with business captains, it is evident that the Asian Business Community is a critical component for the survival of major industries in the country.
After careful efforts to mitigate the financial loss to the value chain of businesses and the national economy, the ABC COVID-19 Taskforce has come to the following difficult decision as an essential step to protect lives, especially when considering our very fragile health delivery system:
ALL businesses and community members are hereby given a directive for a PARTIAL COMMUNITY LOCKDOWN effective Thursday midnight being 9th April 2020 for a period of 14 days ending 23th April 2020 based on the following conditions:
1. Everyone over the age of 53 years must stay within the confines of their home.
2. ALL domestic staff over the age of 53 to be given a paid 14 days leave
3. All those with existing underlying health conditions to stay within the confines of their home.
4. Womenfolk (if not main breadwinners) and children are to remain within the confines of their home. (except in the case of emergencies).
5. ONLY the bread winner of the family may leave the house to go to work between 6am till 7pm.
6. Non- breadwinners may only go out to get medical supplies, food/ essential
household items.
7. Restaurants must operate on a delivery or take out basis ONLY.
8. No one should leave their home after 8pm till 6am unless in an emergency.
9. Based on clear Government of Malawi directives all places of social gatherings (clubs, bars, shisha lounges) must be closed and restaurants will only offer take away services till 8pm.
10. All non-essential travel, such as travel to Mangochi, Lilongwe or recreational areas for the Easter weekend should be cancelled.
11. At respective business work place all necessary precautionary measures such as social distancing, hand washing, wearing of masks and gloves etc must be strictly adhered to.
The same caution and strict measures apply on returning home from work place; Refer to Guidelines in Hygiene Practices that we all to be strictly adhere to.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any member of the community found violating this PARTIAL COMMUNITY LOCKDOWN without a valid reason, strict action by community elders will be taken against them including a penalty of MK500,000.
Whilst we appreciate that this directive may be challenging for some and may affect our lifestyle in one way or another, it is important to state that we have reached this decision only after lengthy consultations with medical professionals and are doing this in the best interest of us all.
It gives me great pride to state and thank the business community in maintaining a very low mark up on groceries, essential goods and medical supplies during this pandemic.
This truly reflects the generosity of the community and I pray that we all will continue to support the vulnerable through in this manner.
Given the circumstances we must all be prepared to make sacrifices for everyone’s benefit.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
It is my prayer that everyone will adhere strictly to this directive and together we can overcome this pandemic.
May the Almighty guide and protect us all in these stressful times - Ameen.
Faizal Aboo
Chairman, Asian Business Community (ABC)
Covid-19 Taskforce
9th April 2020
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