AFRICA/MALAWI - Covid-19: no case of infection, but preventive measures in the archdiocese of Blantyre

Thursday, 2 April 2020 coronavirus   healthcare   prayer  

INTERNET

Blantyre (Agenzia Fides) - "Here in Blantyre, so far, there has been no case of infection verified and it would be a great grace if there were none in the future", writes to Agenzia Fides missionary Anna Tomasi of the Franciscans Auxiliary Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception (FALMI) who deal in particular with health, education, assistance in prisons.
"However, the coronavirus emergency - remarks the religious - is on everyone's lips here too. Covid-19 has changed the Missionary Childhood programs of our Archdiocese in Blantyre. A meeting of all the children was scheduled on March 29 and 30 in the parish of Phalombe, together with our Archbishop, Mgr. Thomas Luke Msusa, to visit the sick of the diocesan hospital 'Holy Family' and bring gifts, especially to the children. This initiative had to be canceled with great regret on behalf of the children who were already looking forward to the joy of a journey and their charitable service together with the Archbishop, who is always present at their gatherings".
"Since 20 March the government has given the order to close all schools, universities and colleges - continues Anna, engaged in Malawi for 17 years with the F.A.L.M.I. community. Malawians returning from other countries go directly into quarantine and entry to non-residents is prohibited".
The nun continues: "As for normal life, the only differences are that in front of all the shops, offices, banks, churches there are buckets with a tap and soap to wash your hands. You can still gather in parishes, but in groups of less than 100 people. While to encourage the participation of the most faithful in the Holy Masses the number can increase".
Sister Anna also says that in prisons they have forbidden entry to groups, but the relatives of the detainees go to bring food, respecting hand washing and distance. The government is also proceeding with the release of a number of detainees. 200 were released yesterday 1 April from the prison of Chichiri. We pray for everyone and we trust that this pandemic will end soon and give us the joy of resuming normal life with a new mind and heart", concludes the missionary. (AT/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 2/4/2020)


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