The Malawian High Court on Friday blocked the country’s leader, President Peter Mutharika from imposing a three-week lockdown that was scheduled to come in effect from April 18 to May 9.
The Court granted a 7-day injunction that had been sought for by a human rights group, Malawi Human Rights Defenders Coalition (MHRDC).
In a tweet on Friday evening, Idriss Ali Nassah said:
The President of Malawi had declared a 21-day #COVID lockdown from April 18 to May 9.
But a human rights group @HumanHrdc has obtained an injunction at the High Court, which has been granted for 7 days.
So, no lockdown for now.
Malawi announced a three-week lockdown to try and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, joining other southern African countries like South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Minister of Health and Population Jappie Mhango said that all non-essential businesses would close and services would stop during the lockdown.
Meanwhile, hundreds on Malawians have taken to the streets in protest against the stay-at-home order, saying the government has no social security benefits put in place so people are without incomes, food and other basics.