Malawi's President Peter Mutharika will cut his wages and those of his ministers to free up funds to finance the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected four people in his country.
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"I ask the Treasury to cut the salaries of the president, ministers and deputy ministers of the government by 10% for three months and to use these resources against the coronavirus, " said Mr Mutharika in a TV address. .
The head of state declared a state of emergency on March 23 and ordered the schools closed until further notice to stem the epidemic.
On Saturday evening, he announced the opening of new Covid-19 screening centers, a drop in fuel prices to facilitate travel to these centers and the recruitment by the Ministry of Health of 2,000 additional agents.
" We need more soldiers and human resources for this fight, " he said, promising to do everything " to protect jobs, income and businesses " and to ensure " the survival of the 'economy '.
Malawi is considered one of the poorest countries on the planet. According to the World Bank, more than half (51.5%) of its 17 million inhabitants live below the poverty line.