Advertising agency erects corona messaging billboards

An advertising and printing agency is erecting nine billboards in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe to display messages of coronavirus (Covid-19).

The agency, Community Marketing, is covering a public sensitisation gap in the country as Covid-19 cases keep increasing globally.

Community Marketing operations director Talha Saqib said in an interview yesterday that they are erecting the billboards as a corporate social responsibility.

He said:  “Initially, government was supposed to pay for the billboards, but we decided to make a contribution to the society. We feel that ensuring people’s safety is the responsibility of all Malawians; hence, our commitment to put up prevention messages in our billboards for free.”

Saqib said the billboards are located in strategic points where at least 5 000 people view them on daily basis, ensuring the Covid-19 messages reach many.

“Even if it means that 300 of the 5000 people that will be viewing these messages will adopt the preventive measures then we shall be able to save many lives,” he said.

 In Blantyre the billboards have been erected at Trade Fair, Limbe and College of Medicine while in Lilongwe the billboards are going to be erected in Area 6, Crossroads, Area 25 and City Centre. Saqib said these messages are going to remain until the pandemic dies down.

 Though Malawi is yet to register a Covid-19 case, companies and development partners have responded positively with donations of masks and other items to government departments such as Immigration Department.

 However, government has disputed fears of a lockdown as spread by the social media.