MASERU-OVER 13 000 Basotho have received shots of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in the past two weeks.
According to a status report presented by Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro on Sunday, the country still has 22,000 doses in stock and hopes to acquire more.
King Letsie III, received the first AstraZeneca doses two weeks ago, was the first to get a jab, followed by the Prime Minister and other senior government officials at Scott Hospital where the King was born.
Last week former prime ministers, their deputies and their wives as well as health workers were also vaccinated. Media practitioners are expected to be inoculated next week.
Majoro said the Covax Facility Advanced Market Commitment (AMC), has pledged 36, 000 doses for Lesotho while the country would also get 80,000 doses under an African Union (AU) initiative.
The Covax Facility Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) is a global initiative that aims to support the safe and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to low and middle-income countries.
“We are awaiting the arrival dates for the second batch,” said Majoro, as he announced relaxation of the nationwide lockdown that will see the reopening of some social activities such as sporting activities that do not include physical contact.
Sporting activities that involve physical contact can only take place if they get a permit from the police, he said.
Musicians, comedians and other entertainers are allowed to hold concerts and celebrations after obtaining permits from the Ministry of Tourism as well as from the police, he said.
Hotels and restaurants are allowed to open for sit-in customers but should observe the social distancing rules, while bars would be allowed to open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm for takeaways.
Taxi operators should also go back to work as normal but ensure that passengers wear masks and are sanitized to curb infections.
“We are aware that taxi drivers are reluctant to abide by Covid-19 protocols,” he said.
Although restrictions have been eased, people should adhere to prevention measures as a third wave of infections could be on the way, said the Prime Minister.
“The pandemic will soon be rife due to the anticipated third wave and the winter season that is approaching,” he said, adding that “Kenya is already sinking”.
He appealed to Basotho working outside the country to avoid returning home for the Easter holidays to prevent a repeat of the wave of infections in December when many came for the Christmas holidays.
He appealed to church leaders to ensure that people do not gather in big numbers as this is against the law.
Majoro said he was bothered by the latest Leribe infections, saying this shows that some people in the communities are not abiding by Covid-19 precautions.
“We heard that in Leribe infections happened after an all-night church service. Your government is trying to protect you against the pandemic, therefore you should listen and obey,” he said.
Nkheli Liphoto