Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has criticized government for failing to involve stakeholders in the process of coming up with new COVID-19 containment measures.

On Tuesday, the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 announced the closure of all land boarders and trimming of public gatherings to 100 people with immediate effect amid the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa described the move as an example of a trial and error method which the Tonse Alliance government must desist from.

Namiwa said it is questionable that government has arrived at a decision to seal land borders for the next two weeks, following the news that a cabinet minister has tested positive for COVID-19.

“By closing the borders government is sending a signal that we as a country do not have the capacity to screen the entrants. On the other hand the closure of the borders means a loss in business and revenue.

“The decision also exposes inconsistency in policy direction since the education ministry announced that the cancelled Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations will be re-administered from December 26, 2020,” he said.

Namiwa further said that government’s failure to engage stakeholders shows the total disregard for consultations on matters of national importance.

He has since advised government to embrace the spirit of thorough consultations, and to refrain from what he calls shameful trial and error system of administration.