‘Germany will not repatriate its citizens’
German Ambassador to Malawi Juergen Borsch says his country has no plans to repatriate its citizens back home despite Malawi registering 39 coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.
He made the remarks on Thursday when he donated personal protective equipment and infection prevention materials to Ntcheu District Health Office (DHO) to fight the spread of Covid-19.
“Yes, people want to travel back to their countries which is understandable. However, as Germany, we have no such plans to repatriate our citizens given the situation there are more cases in Germany than Malawi. So, there are no plans to do that,” he said.
The envoy said Covid-19 is a global challenge with no vaccine; hence, the support to Ntcheu DHO and other health facilities across the country.
“Coronavirus is a global challenge which means we are sitting in the same boat. It’s a new virus with no vaccine and what is required is to observe personal hygiene,” he said.
Ntcheu District director of health and social services Isaac Mbigwani commended Germany for the donation.
He said the materials will be distributed to the district’s 39 health facilities.
He also gave an update on Covid-19 situation in the district.
“We have followed up 84 people out of whom 67 have finished their quarantine and 19 are still being followed,” he said.
The donation included 400 boxes of hand sanitisers, 336 boxes of hand-washing soap, 40 tins of chlorine, 300 buckets with taps, 300 buckets without taps, 200 aprons, and 500 packets of gloves.
Germany has committed about K2 billion for Covid-19 interventions in the country.
United States government through its embassy on April 24 repatriated from Malawi 143 people, including 88 Americans.
The repatriation followed the rising scare of Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a statement issued on April 24, and posted on the Embassy’s Facebook page, the people voluntarily expressed interest to be repatriated. The 143 people were seen office at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) by US Ambassador Robert Scott who said safety and security of US citizens around the world is number one priority for America’s Department of State.
