Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has appealed for a collaborative approach in the fight against coronavirus, as, LCC Mayor Juliana Kaduya told journalists that the council is working on avoiding the spread of the virus, especially if a case is registered.

Kaduya said that the council is working with the Ministry of Health and the private sector, to protect residents. “Our city is congested—people live in overcrowded conditions, share public facilities and travel in minibuses, gather in supermarkets, churches, schools, weddings and many other public gatherings. This is a challenge to the prevention of the virus,” she said.

Kaduya said the council will disseminate awareness, prevention and possible response messages. On the other hand, the council will work with market committees to enforce hand-washing with soap and other hygiene practices by traders and buyers.

On March 11, the World Health Organisation announced that Covid-19 was a pandemic. Malawi is yet to register a case of coronavirus despite some individuals returning from affected countries who are being placed in self-isolation.