As he addressed the nation this morning, President Lungu ordered the closure of bars, churches, cassinos and Gyms as a one of the ways to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus.

Since breaking out last December, the Coronavirus has infected more than 300,000 people.

Zambia has now 12 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 which has killed close to 15,000 people worlwide.

President Lungu said the fight against the Coronavirus could not be won without community participation.

Kanganja followed President Lungu’s address with a directive to his officers.

“Following the directive by His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Zambia in his address to the nation today on the COVID 19 pandemic , to close all Bars, night clubs, Cinemas, Gyms and Casinos, all Provincial Police Commissioners should ensure that they enforce this directive which will be in effect Thursday mid night,” Kanganja stated.

He said Officers in Charge of Police Stations and Posts working in collaboration with the Local Authorities should devise measures of ensuring that President Lungu’s directive is strictly adhered to without fail.

“They are all expected to intensify both foot and motorised patrols and ensure that regulations under the Statutory Instrument number 22 restricting public mass gatherings are enforced,” he said.

Kanganja appealed to members of the public and the business community to cooperate with all relevant authorities.

“Furthermore, I wish to warn all those that would want to deliberately ignore the directives or provisions of Law that they risk being arrested and charged accordingly,” stated Kanganja.