Government has reminded people in the country that the recently announced Covid-19 restrictions will be in force throughout Christmas and New Year festivities.

Remarks by Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda comes at a time Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating Christmas on Saturday and with commencement of festivities a day before.

“We do this to protect you, we know that the business owners they suffer but we are saying you can go and get your drinks or whatever and drink at hope,” said Chiponda.

“Christmas holiday is family time so we urge all Malawians that let`s try this time around to be with our family by staying at home.”

Chiponda added that people need to observe the festivities responsibly by being mindful that the country is still grappling with the pandemic with a surge of positive cases.

She said: “But also we want to protect you because there have been a lot of road accidents and when it is Christmas time, holiday time we get a lot of accidents we have to think of our clinicians, nurses as well.”

“We want to minimize the pressure in our health facilities as well so we are saying 10pm please let’s be home, let’s be with our families and we protect ourselves from Covid-19 and unnecessary accidents that may happen,” said Chiponda.

According to the recently announced measures, all religious, recreational and wedding gatherings should not exceed 100 people indoors, and 250 people outdoors subject to the social distancing requirements of at least one meter between persons.