What's the government response timeline for Malawi?

Minister of Health says Malawi is prepared for the Coronavirus, urges citizens to avoid travel to affected areas. https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-ready-for-coronavirus-says-minister-of-health-preparedness-plan-developed/?fbclid=IwAR1gCbK2Re0pClB5NuBT78s3u890NSIwsKJ1iub0VViosTdkZXNi9Havv1E

Already on 7 March, the government of Malawi called for a special cabinet to be formed on the issue of the coronavirus, including several ministers. From that day onwards (without any confirmed cases in the country), the government has shared information about the symptoms of the virus, how to debunk myths, how to protect oneself, etc. https://twitter.com/malawigovt. If Twitter were to be the only channel for the public information campaign, I would have coded it as targeted (internet penetration rate likely low and only around 20,000 followers despite 18m inhabitants), but the special cabinet is likely to have used other channels for information dissemination as well, Twitter is just the most visible externally.

Malawian President Peter Mutharika announces on 20th March the immediate banning of public gatherings (and the closure of schools commencing 23rd March): 'President Peter Mutharika has declared Malawi a State of Disaster, ordered the closure of all schools and banned public gatherings due to the threat of coronavirus. [...] “My Government is restricting public gatherings to less than 100 people forthwith. This restriction applies to all gatherings including weddings, funerals, church, congregations, rallies, government meetings etc,” said Mutharika'. Source: https://malawi24.com/2020/03/20/mutharika-closes-schools-bans-public-gatherings/

Malawi restricts gatherings to fewer than 100 people, including private events such as weddings or funerals. (5 in the declaration by the President) Since this effectively means a restriction to a maximum of 99 people, coded as 3G; https://mw.one.un.org/declaration-of-state-of-disaster-by-malawi-president-20-march-2020/

Will Dowling update: Original coding and timestamp is right but original link does not lead to info on school closings. Updated links here: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/stories/coping-school-closures-during-covid-19-pandemic https://www.voanews.com/africa/malawi-learners-get-school-meals-home

There are no recorded measures on workplace closures. However, markets were re-organized to prevent overcrowding. Market days in villages were prohibited due to overcrowding. https://www.kulinji.com/article/news/business/2020/covid19-mmbelwa-council-bans-market-days

The country’s government is restricting public gatherings to less than 100 people. This restriction applies to all gatherings including weddings, funerals, church, congregations, rallies and government meetings. The national security has been ordered into action to enforce these restrictions. https://qz.com/africa/1824465/coronavirus-malawi-with-no-cases-declares-national-disaster/

There are no recorded restrictions in internal movement. There are, however, policies to reduce the number of people on public transport at one time to avoid overcrowding. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/component/joomdoc/COVID-19%20Guidelines/Guidelines%20for%20Public%20buses%20and%20minibuses.pdf/detail?Itemid=274

There is no official testing policy in place

On March 27, 2020, the Government of Malawi has instituted a ban on all commercial international flights effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The Government of Malawi is considering further restrictions if the situation worsens. https://mw.usembassy.gov/health-alert-u-s-embassy-lilongwe-malawi-3-2-2-2/

President Peter Mutharika announces limited tracing around the first 3 cases to be announced in Lilongwe. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/328736/malawi-first-covid-19-cases-confirmed-april-2-update-2

Contact tracing is happening for all confirmed cases

On April 4th, Malawi's President Peter Mutharika told all non essential workers to work from home starting immediately but was faced with backlash (1). The President tried to implement a lockdown starting April 19th, but after mass protests from businesses a judge struck down the decision indefinitely until the Constitutional Court reviews the case (2, 3). As the government is recommending people work from home but cannot legally require them to do so, I believe this should be coded as 1 - Recommended Source (1) https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-malawi/update-2-malawi-president-ministers-take-10-salary-cut-to-fight-coronavirus-idUSL8N2BS0P1 Source (2) https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/africa/2020-04-28-malawis-high-court-extends-order-barring-lockdown/ Source (3) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52471276

Public transport was not closed. However, measures were put in place to change seating arrangements to facilitate social distancing. That meant minibuses have fewer passengers and operators were to provide hand sanitizer to passengers. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/component/joomdoc/COVID-19%20Guidelines/Guidelines%20for%20Public%20buses%20and%20minibuses.pdf/detail?Itemid=274

There are no official announcements on restrictions on internal movement

I cannot find the official source but I am working in Malawi as a Doctor. I know that people being tested for COVID-19 are symptomatic patients who are travellers returning from any country outside of Malawi, or symptomatic patients who have had contact with returning travellers

From the 9th of April, Malawian banks stopped payments of premiums and loans for a period of three months. All fees for bank transactions were reduced by for that time period to encourage cashless transactions. Other debt relief plans include restructuring small and medium enterprise loans on case by case basis. An emergency liquidity assistance facility has also been introduced for banks as well. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 https://malawi24.com/2020/04/10/malawi-banks-suspend-loan-repayments/

Public information campaigns exist through different means. The radio is the most popular means and the government put in place information jingles. The public health institute of Malawi also has daily updates on its website. The Malawi Ministry of Health has information on its Facebook page. http://covid19.health.gov.mw/

Public transport was not closed. However, measures were put in place to change seating arrangements to facilitate social distancing. That meant minibuses have fewer passengers and operators were to provide hand sanitizer to passengers. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/component/joomdoc/COVID-19%20Guidelines/Guidelines%20for%20Public%20buses%20and%20minibuses.pdf/detail?Itemid=274

Restrictions announced on the 14th of April, to be enacted on the 18th of April

The minister said that as part of the lockdown, the public transport – minibuses, tricycles, taxis, bicycles and motorcycles and taxis – will only be allowed primarily to offer services to essential services and cater for emergencies from 5am to 9.am in the mornings, and from 4pm to 7pm in the evenings. “No public transport vehicle shall be allowed to loiter or linger around for passengers outside these hours,” said Mhango. However, since the courts blocked the lockdown, this measure has not been put in place (Malawi announced a three-week lockdown starting on April 18, however a High Court issued an injunction on April 17, meaning no measures will be put in place before judicial review); https://www.nyasatimes.com/minister-mhango-prescribes-malawi-lockdown-measures/

Malawi announced a three-week lockdown starting on April 18, however a High Court issued an injunction on April 17, meaning no measures will be put in place before judicial review. Since the government has asked people to voluntarily join in containment measures, coded as 1G; the final judgement is expected April 29; https://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFL8N2C55HX; https://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFL5N2C26QA; https://www.nyasatimes.com/lockdown-injunction-to-remain-active-until-april-29-malawi-court-to-decide/

Malawi announced a three-week lockdown starting on April 18, however a High Court issued an injunction on April 17, meaning no measures will be put in place before judicial review. Since the government has asked people to voluntarily join in containment measures, but has not specificially asked to refrain from interstate travel, coded as 0; the final judgement is expected April 29; https://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFL8N2C55HX; https://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFL5N2C26QA; https://www.nyasatimes.com/lockdown-injunction-to-remain-active-until-april-29-malawi-court-to-decide/

Patients with symptoms, who are eligible according to the WHO case definition are being tested. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/DAILY%20UPDATE%20COVID-19%20_14April2020.pdf/detail

Contact tracing is carried out. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/DAILY%20UPDATE%20COVID-19%20_14April2020.pdf/detail

Ministry of Health has revised upwards the risk allowance for health workers. This follows nationwide protests by healthcare workers who were demanding review of their risk allowance in the wake of COVID19. https://twitter.com/NationOnlineMw/status/1252196829984428033

Ministry of Health Facebook page indicates there are press releases, reports and public info dissemination underway https://www.facebook.com/malawimoh

"Schools have been closed since 23 March" https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi/coronavirus

"gatherings of more than 100 people are banned." https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi/coronavirus

The government tried to impose a lockdown, but this was blocked by the High Court. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/malawi-workers-relieved-court-blocks-covid-19-lockdown-plan-200420092511551.html However, the government is still encouraging people to stay at home: "My advice remains: stay home, stay safe." https://www.facebook.com/malawimoh/posts/2811740302214800?__tn__=K-R

The Ministry of Health is publishing daily monitoring reports, and regularly reminding citizens of precautionary measures they should be taking on Facebook and on its webpage. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/malawimoh Ministry of health website link: https://www.health.gov.mw/index.php/downloads/category/7-covid19-information

"So far, we have been treating patients with mild symptoms in their homes. But we will now start taking people to isolation and treatment centers. Our strategy is to trace, test and treat." https://www.facebook.com/pg/malawimoh/posts/?ref=page_internal

"Health workers are tracing all the contacts of this person so that they can be isolated, followed up and tested for COVID-19." Hon Jappie Mango MP, Minister of Health https://www.facebook.com/malawimoh/posts/?ref=page_internal

The government of Malawi Launched a cash transfers program targeted at 172000 vulnerable households, to receive up to $40 in cash per month for three months. https://www.unicef.org/malawi/stories/cash-transfers-help-families-during-covid-19 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52471276

On the 20th of March, the President of Malawi announced the immediate closing of all schools, i.e primary, secondary and tertiary education centres. */ https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

All public events were ordered to be cancelled on the 20th of march. https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

All gatherings of more than 100 were restricted. https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

There were no measures to close public transport. However, there were restrictions on the number of people taking public buses. The bus capacity was reduced by 60%. https://allafrica.com/stories/202004010535.html

Staying at home is recommended for all people with the exception of people providing essential services. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf

There are no restrictions on internal movement

The government of Malawi issued a travel ban on all international travellers to Malawi. There was an exception made for citizens and residents of SADC countries. Airports were closed. However, borders with neighbouring countries remained open. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi/coronavirus

There are public information campaigns coordinated through radios, the internet and written media. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

Testing is only being done for contacts or people who meet the probable or suspect case definitions. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

Comprehensive contact tracing is occurring for all confirmed COVID-19 cases. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

On the 20th of March, the President of Malawi announced the immediate closing of all schools, i.e primary, secondary and tertiary education centres. */ https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

All public events were ordered to be cancelled on the 20th of march. https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

All gatherings of more than 100 were restricted. https://www.nyasatimes.com/mutharika-lays-out-malawi-response-plan-on-coronavirus-bans-gatherings-of-100-people-schools-closing/

There were no measures to close public transport. However, there were restrictions on the number of people taking public buses. The bus capacity was reduced by 60%. https://allafrica.com/stories/202004010535.html

Staying at home is recommended for all people with the exception of people providing essential services. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf

There are no restrictions on internal movement

The government of Malawi issued a travel ban on all international travellers to Malawi. There was an exception made for citizens and residents of SADC countries. Airports were closed. However, borders with neighbouring countries remained open. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi/coronavirus

There are public information campaigns coordinated through radios, the internet and written media. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

Testing is only being done for contacts or people who meet the probable or suspect case definitions. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

Comprehensive contact tracing is occurring for all confirmed COVID-19 cases. https://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200426_Malawi%20COVID-19%2026_April_2020.pdf/detail

All schools and colleges are required to close. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/country-responses/lang--en/index.htm#MW

It is required to cancel all public events. however, there are political campaign events with thousands of people. Policy adherence should be considered when interpreting this indicator. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-01.05.20.pdf

There is a ban on gatherings of more than a 100 people. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-01.05.20.pdf

There is no closure of public transport. however, there is a reduction of the number of people that can board a bus. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-01.05.20.pdf

People are generally advised to work or stay at home. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/a-responses/lang--en/index.htm

There are no restrictions on internal movement. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/a-responses/lang--en/index.htm

There is a ban on travelers from countries outside the SADC countries. Although all airports are closed, land borders are open to returning citizens https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/a-responses/lang--en/index.htm

A government cash transfer program is running to reach 172,000 households in peri-urban and urban areas with monthly $47 per month. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/country-responses/lang--en/index.htm#MW

There is a coordinated public information campaign https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/country-responses/lang--en/index.htm#MW

Testing is being done for contacts of cases or people with covid-19 symptoms and are contacts of people who have recently travelled. http://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200504_Malawi%20COVID-19%204%20May%202020.pdf/detail http://malawipublichealth.org/index.php/resources/COVID-19%20Daily%20updates/20200504_Malawi%20COVID-19%204%20May%202020.pdf/detail

Comprehensive contact tracing is carried out

All Schools remain closed since Malawi announced school closures in March https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/1503-malawi-orders-schools-closed-limits-gatherings-in-wake-of-covid19

Although there is no strict policy stopping work, there are guidelines to decongest workplaces and reduce the number of people present at work or at meetings. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf https:/ https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/1503-malawi-orders-schools-closed-limits-gatherings-in-wake-of-covid19/web.archive.org/save/ https://zodiakmalawi.com/nw/national-news/65-news-in-central-region/1503-malawi-orders-schools-closed-limits-gatherings-in-wake-of-covid19

The government ordered all public events to be canceled. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf

All public gatherings of people more than 100 are banned. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf

There are no restrictions on public transport. However, there are restriction on reducing the number of people taking public transport at a point in time.

Staying at home is recommended as there are recommendations on decongesting workplaces. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf

There are no restrictions on internal movement

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi-COVID-19-Situation-Update-10.04.20.pdf Although there is a ban on international travel through the airports, land borders are still open. All people coming to Malawi are to get quarantined for two weeks upon entry

Malawi adopted a social cash transfer program that targeted a million people in low income households. The cash trasfer was meant to run for three months and to give the equivalent of one months minimum wage. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

The is a coordinated public information campaign with various national and international stakeholders https://www.malawipublichealth.org/index.php/13-resources/46-daily-updates

Tests are being conducted on people who have recently returned from outside the country, contacts of confirmed cases, or contacts of people who have recently traveled. https://www.malawipublichealth.org/index.php/13-resources/46-daily-updates

The ministry has emphasized testing for all contacts of confirmed cases. https://www.malawipublichealth.org/index.php/13-resources/46-daily-updates

Schools remain closed https://www.unicef.org/malawi/stories/home-schooling-how-bettie-coping-school-closures

Although there are no official government announcements to close workplaces. However, the government workforce has implemented remote working to reduce the number of people working in offices at one point in time. https://www.wateraid.org/mw/our-coronavirus-response

It is government policy that all public events are canceled. Although all public events were formally canceled, there have been government and public even https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/341311/malawi-campaign-rallies-begin-in-lilongwe-and-mzuzu-may-10-update-7ts https://www.wateraid.org/mw/our-coronavirus-response

It id government policy to restrict gatherings to 100 people. However, compliance to this policy my be questioned. Although all public events were formally cancelled, there have been government and public even https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/341311/malawi-campaign-rallies-begin-in-lilongwe-and-mzuzu-may-10-update-7ts https://www.wateraid.org/mw/our-coronavirus-response

There is no ban on public transport https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

Some government and private institutions are requiring their workers to work from home. Workinf from home is generally advised where possible. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

there has been no restriction on internal movement https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

There is a travel ban on international citizens. Airports remain closed but land borders remain open. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

There is a cash transfer program for vulnerable households. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

To support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), commercial banks and micro-finance institutions will be, on a case-by-case basis, restructuring SME loans and providing a three-month moratorium on their debt service. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

There is a coordinated public information campaign https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

Testing is limited to people who are symptomatic and eligible or are contacts of confirmed cases. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

There are improved resources and more personnel to improve covid-19 testing for contact tracing. https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Malawi%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Update%20-%2019.06.20.pdf

The President of Malawi declared a State of Disaster on 20 March. Schools have been closed since 23 March and gatherings of more than 100 people are banned. http://archive.vn/CKBaK

The President of Malawi declared a State of Disaster on 20 March. Schools have been closed since 23 March and gatherings of more than 100 people are banned. http://archive.vn/CKBaK

Visitors from high-risk countries for coronavirus, including the United Kingdom, are no longer permitted to enter Malawi unless they have a residence permit. Returning residents will need to conduct a mandatory period of self-isolation for 14 days on arrival and will remain under surveillance by health workers. Anyone who is unable to self-isolate at home may be transferred to a local treatment facility for the self-isolation period. Travellers are not permitted to self-isolate in a hotel or lodge. http://archive.vn/CKBaK Some land borders are open although only for cargo http://archive.vn/wip/N1Ryy

On 10 July, Malawi authorities announced to delay plans to reopen schools on July 13 due to a spike in covid-19 cases. This surge was because of the winter season, a failure to control crowds during recent election campaign rallies, and a return of migrant workers from South Africa. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/spike-covid-19-cases-delays-plans-reopen-schools-malawi

The co-chair for the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, John Phuka, said on 10 July that a critical shortage of test kits forced the government to stop mass testing, and to only test people with symptoms. Because Malawi has been ordering kits from abroad; those from Europe were delayed due to logistic issues. https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/spike-covid-19-cases-delays-plans-reopen-schools-malawi

As of 20 July, 2020, the Malawi Economic Monitor produced by the World Bank notes that the country has increased the number of their laboratories to test for COVID-19 from four in mid-April to 39 in all regions. Testing capacity remains low, however a total of 24,475 samples have been tested and active monitoring of confirmed cases is ongoing. See the Malawi Economic Monitor for July 2020, archived: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/34220/Malawi-Economic-Monitor-From-Crisis-Response-to-a-Strong-Recovery.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y This information is from point 81 on page 25.

Attorney General of Malawi, Chikosa Silungwe, announced that all public gatherings, including bars and religious centers, to be banned from 8 August. "Bars will only be allowed to sell alcohol as take-out and no groups of more than 10 people are allowed except for funerals with a maximum of 50 people. The Attorney General said an “army of enforcement officers” had been hired to ensure the regulations were followed." http://archive.vn/2zZoL

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera announced on 15 August the government’s plans to reopen schools subject to certain safety measures in early September, despite a surge in COVID-19 cases. http://archive.vn/bK535