Staff ReporterMalawi- The Malawi President Lazarus Chakwela has cancelled the 56th independence celebrations slated for 6 July 2020, amid escalating cases of Coronavirus cases in the country.
The country was supposed to have Independence as well as inauguration celebrations respectively at Bingu international stadium, but instead, a small inauguration ceremony will be heard at Kamuzu barracks at the capital city of Lilongwe with atleast 100 invited guests.
For the past 48 hours Malawi has registered an increase of covid-19 cases, from 1498 to about 1613.
The President has said the preparation resources, meant for the activity will be channeled towards covid-19 fight, through the presidential taskforce committee.
The President has since advised people among others to follow proceedings on various media platforms, practice hand washing and maintain social distancing.
“A few hours ago, I directed that the Independence Day Celebrations slated for tomorrow at Bingu National Stadium be cancelled.
“As you may recall, yesterday I said that the attendance for the event would be reduced by half from 40,000 to 20,000. However, I have received new information in the last 24 hours that has persuaded me to cancel the event altogether,” said Chakwela
The President said at the start of the day yesterday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases was 1,498. But later in the same day, that number stood at 1,613, representing a rise of over 7 percent.
He said of the 115 new confirmed cases, 64% local transmissions, and they have occurred in all three regions of the country, from the southernmost district of Nsanje to the northernmost district of Chitipa.
Meanwhile, a small inauguration ceremony will be held tomorrow morning at Kamuzu Barracks in front of a small audience of 100 who will come strictly by invitation, while the rest of you will be able to watch it on various media platforms.
Malawi has 1289 active cases, 317 recoveries with 17 deaths.
President Lazarus Chakwela defeated Peter Mutharika during fresh presidential poll on June 23, after annulment of 2019 elections by the courts.