Malawi Announces Reopening of Schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe After Two-Week Delay Due to Cholera Outbreak

Malawi: The government of Malawi has announced that primary and secondary schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe will be opening after a two-week delay due to a recent increase in cholera cases and deaths in the districts.

Co-Chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Cholera, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, made the announcement at a press conference held at the Central Office of Information in Lilongwe on Thursday, January 12th.

"We understand the importance of education and the impact that delays in reopening schools can have on students, but the safety and well-being of our citizens must come first. We have taken the necessary steps to address the water and sanitation issues in our schools and have put in place measures to prevent the spread of cholera. We are confident that these measures will ensure a safe environment for our students, teachers, and staff when schools reopen," said Kandodo Chiponda.

Primary and secondary schools in the two districts will open on Tuesday 17th, January 2023, according to the Co-Chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Cholera.