Dundo - The failure of the population of the municipality of Chitato, in the province of Lunda Norte, to comply with preventive measures, especially the non-use of masks and physical distancing, has left the Minister of Health, Silvia Lutucuta, worried Friday.
The Cabinet minister expressed this concern at the end of a visit of a few hours to Lunda Norte province, where she opened the fifth Molecular Biology Laboratory, after Luanda, Huambo and Uíge, with the capacity to carry out 2,000 tests per day.
Among the measures imposed by the government, as part of the state of emergency, to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19, the use of masks on public roads and in public places is compulsory and non-compliance is likely to result in fines.
Silvia Lutucuta called on local authorities to step up epidemiological surveillance measures by increasing awareness and mobilisation in communities, public streets, markets, among other public places, with a view to advising citizens on the need for mandatory compliance with prevention measures.
"People have to wear masks, this is mandatory and fundamental in preventing this pandemic, it is not mass testing that will save us from this virus, we need to gain awareness because Covid-19 kills and is a relentless enemy", she warned.
She called on the media to strengthen information on Covid-19 in their programming grid in order to raise awareness of the dangers of the pandemic and the importance of compliance with prevention measures, including the mandatory use of masks.
Lunda Norte province has a record of 57 positive cases, 56 of which are active and one recovered.
