VACCINE KEY TO COMBAT COVID-19- DPM

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu says the rise of vaccination has caused COVID-19 infections and deaths to decline.
The Deputy Prime Minister said when addressing the nation address on national television on Sunday.
Mr. Mokhothu said Lesotho is an example of how the vaccine has reduced the occurrence of infections and deaths, saying the rate of infections and deaths has dropped to five percent after the vaccination rate increased to 11 percent.
He said so far the country has vaccinated more than 500,000 Basotho, noting that the infection rate has dropped drastically to 0.8 percent.
He announced that from the 1^st of November people who will go to the selected facilities that include entertainment, creative & cultural industries, public recreation areas or parks, gyms, nightclubs and political rallies have to issue identification cards and vaccination certificates on their entrance to prove that they have been vaccinated.
However, the Deputy Prime Minister said institutions such as grocery stores, supermarkets, hardware and churches will operate without the issuance of identification cards and vaccination certificates but strictly observe COVID-19 recommendations and regulations.
He added that wedding ceremonies, funerals and old age pension centres will not be affected by the new regulation of issuance of documents.
He urged Basotho to get vaccinated and continue to abide by COVID-19 regulations, saying even though the infection rate has subsided the country is still working hard to combat the pandemic.
So far the country has conducted 23 402 tests with a death toll of 658, while 21 635 positive cases and 12 485 recoveries recorded.
By Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe