The COVID-19 pandemic has affected progress of development initiatives in Malawi and the SVTP has not been spared. Preventive measures have been put in place to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the project are safe and protected.

The Blantyre District Health Office was engaged by the SVTP to conduct an information session to sensitize staff on COVID-19.  An action plan was developed highlighting precautionary measures to be undertaken to avoid the spread of the virus and to manage cases where necessary.  The plan emphasizes practices to be followed to mitigate the spread of the virus including hand washing, wearing masks, disinfection of offices, social distancing and reporting any signs of illness among others.

As a way of raising awareness on the pandemic, the Programme used the public address van to sensitize people on the disease since physical meetings could not be done.  Three types of radio jingles from the Ministry of Health were customized to the SVTP and aired on GAKA and Capital radio stations. Posters and fliers were designed and printed and posted along the construction site to bring awareness to construction workers and the community at large, on prevention and what could be done when in contact with suspected cases of COVID 19.  Messages were also shared on SVTP social media pages.

The Programme emphasizes hand washing, social distancing and wearing of masks at the construction site to ensure that workers are protected from the spread of Corona virus.

The SVTP construction site was closed for 3 weeks after registering 11 cases of Covid-19 in 2020.

The Programme will continue to work with all stakeholders including the contractor on prevention of the spread of the virus.