President Edgar Lungu has ordered that all Zambians should wear masks in public places.

Lungu has made it a must saying it is now mandatory for every Zambian in an effort to stop new Coronavirus transmissions.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya announced that the directive entails that every Zambia will need to put on a mask every time they access public places as that is one of the effective way to avoid person to person transmission.

Speaking at the 27th COVID-19 update on Thursday afternoon, Chilufya who announced that Zambia has not recorded any new COVID-19 case emphasized the need for all Zambians to adhere to the directive.

“It important now for all to participate in the operation “mask up” because if we manage to do this for a month, it will change the statistics. So it is a must to wear a mask” he said.

Meanwhile, Zambia now joins Cameroon in making masks wearing mandatory. Singapore has also done the same, adding that anyone who would be found without a mask will be tried.

The health ministry said in a statement late Tuesday that anyone found without masks will be fined 300 Singapore dollars ($212), while repeat offenders could be prosecuted in court and face higher fines.

Chilufya also announced that COVID-19 cases cumulatively remains at 48 cases,2 deaths, 30 recoveries with 16 admissions who are all stable

On the Kafue lockdown and purported massive testing operation, Chilufya announced that only 131 tests were done and all of them tested negative. Meanwhile, the lockdown was lifted.