THE National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) has called on the nation to take serious action in containing the virus with COVID-19 cases on the rise in the country.

This, NACOSEC Communications and Publicity Manager, 'Mateboho Mosebekoa said could be achieved through community engagement, which she added should be the first step for communities to ensure that the virus does not spread further.
Communities, she said have to take the responsibility of stopping the spread of the virus by ensuring that people in villages adhere to the set regulations like sticking to limited numbers of mourners attending funerals.

Ms Mosebekoa said communities should also ensure that bars and taverns close on time and that patrons only buy their drinks and take them away with them, adding that no social gatherings should be held.

She said even though NACOSEC has a security sector which goes out in villages to ensure compliance to the regulations, communities still have to police themselves.

Ms Mosebekoa said where there is a COVID-19 case in a particular village, a lot of people could be at risk, highlighting that curbing the pandemic is not the responsibility of the government or NACOSEC alone, but every citizen’s.

She said if communities fail to comply, that could put immense pressure on the health system adding that Lesotho has only two hospitals earmarked for COVID-19 patients.

“If COVID-19 cases rise higher and things get out of hand, there would be no facilities to accommodate all patients,” she warned.

She further warned those who have been vaccinated to always be vigilant by ensuring that they stay negative through adhering to the COVID-19 health protocols.

“We should not just stand back and watch what the government, NACOSEC and the Ministry of Health are doing, but we all have to take responsibility and comply with the protocols at all times and not use our facial masks to keep the police away. We should take responsibility in our communities by complying with the regulations,” she said.