Malawi Prisons Service (PS) has with immediate effect suspended relational visits from prisons across the country due to the surge of Covid-19 cases.

In a press statement, Malawi Prisons spokesperson Chimwemwe Shaba said the decision was reached in order to prevent and manage further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic as the country in the second wave of the pandemic.

“Malawi Prisons Service wishes to inform members of the general public that in the wake of increasing cases of Covid-19 pandemic across the country, all relational visits to prisons have been completely suspended with immediate effect,” read the statement.

The statement has also assured the general public that through its Taskforce on Covid-19, the department will be monitoring the Covid-19 situation in all prisons across the country.

“The Prisons Department through its Task Force on Covid-19 will be monitoring the Covid-19 situation and subsequently recommend new guidelines based on the trend of the pandemic.

“Be informed that the Chief Commissioner of Prisons has amended the Standing Orders for the Malawi Prisons Service on the Prevention and Management of Covid-19,” reads the statement.

This is the second time the department is suspending relational visit from the country’s correctional facilities since the country started registering Covd-19 cases last year.

In the second wave, no covid-19 case has been registered in the country’s prions.