IT is imperative that the country’s health authorities become more assertive and step up efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
Health experts have been warning about a fourth wave that could be more deadly than the third wave that stretched the country’s health institutions to the limit.
What is obvious is that the country cannot continue with the low-key approach on Covid-19 vaccination when the situation in neighbouring countries has taken a turn for the worse.
As we have reported on our foreign page, more countries are tightening their travel restrictions after the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa earlier this week.
The variant is very different to the others that have emerged so far. Scientists have said it is the most heavily mutated version yet, which means vaccines, which were designed using the original strain from Wuhan, may not be as effective.
The UK, Singapore and Japan are among those rushing in stricter quarantine measures and banning flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries. The EU is proposing to ban flights from the region across the whole bloc.
This follows the discovery of a Covid-19 variant originating from within the region, that Professor Lloyd Mulenga, the Ministry of Health Director for Infectious Diseases, rightly says is a wake-up call for people to vaccinate.
A new Covid-19 variant called B.1.1. 529 which was first reported in Botswana from four fully vaccinated people has now spread to South Africa and the region has been put on travel alert by the UK and Europe.
And with Zambia being a major trading hub in the region with trucks crisscrossing the country transporting goods, the nation cannot afford to ignore the unfolding danger.
The public must seriously reflect on Prof Mulenga’s call for people to be vaccinated. They must get the jab to reduce the risks that go without being vaccinated.
Prof Mulenga said the fact that neighbouring countries are affected is a source of serious worry and concern, and that vaccination is one way of stopping infection.
It is ironic that while the government has gone out of its way to ensure that there are enough vaccines in the country, the response has not been encouraging.
Zambians must have surely learnt by now that the Covid-19 pandemic transcends borders and what is happening in one country cannot be ignored.
Covid cases in South Africa are on the rise ahead of a predicted fourth wave. The country has recorded 1, 886 new virus cases since Saturday and 22 deaths from coronavirus.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla has urged more people to get vaccinated. “We knew it was a matter of time before the fourth wave comes,” he said.
From experience, Zambia could be on the verge of a fourth wave for the country always replicate South Africa.
We therefore implore the health authorities to re-activate the Covid-19 health guidelines which of late appear to be non-existent.
Ever since the government eased restrictions on public gatherings and operating hours for bars and restaurants, there has been less adherence to health guidelines.
Even on public transport, only a few people use face masks. It is even worse at markets with their huge crowds.
It is likely that the government may have to take the bull by the horns and make it mandatory for people to have vaccination certificates to access public offices as some countries in Africa have done.
It could be the only way to make some people get vaccinated and save their lives.
