This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
On May 23, 2020, Zambia's Information Minister Dora Siliya tested positive for coronavirus, according to state TV.
Chief government spokesperson stated that Minister Siliya, who was asymptomatic, confirmed her status after testing for the virus.
Ms Siliya has since gone into self-isolation.
As of the time of her diagnosis, Zambia's confirmed cases were approaching one thousand, following the country's decision to widen its screening and testing.
Despite not imposing a lockdown, Zambia had implemented restrictions, including closing bars, casinos, gyms, and schools.
However, two weeks prior, President Lungu had allowed the reopening of gyms and casinos, but not bars, citing the need to find a way to continue economic activity amidst the pandemic.
Universities remained closed, but examination classes for secondary and primary schools were set to resume on June 1.
President Lungu had previously stated that the country's economy was 'choking' due to inactivity.
Zambia was grappling with a significant Chinese debt and a slowdown in economic activity necessitated by COVID-19.
