LUSAKA Province Minister Bowman Lusambo says he is worried about the huge meetings he held on the Copperbelt in light of his COVID-19 positive status.

And Lusambo has expressed concern over the behavior of Lusaka residents who take COVID-19 lightly.

In an interview, Lusambo insisted that the gatherings on the Copperbelt were not planned for as people decided to follow him on their own.

When asked if he was worried that those who followed him may have been infected, Lusambo responded in the affirmative.

“Yes, I am worried as well. Not only that, I am scared for Lusaka people because the levels of compliance have gone down. COVID-19 is now everywhere. This behavior which is in Lusaka, COVID-19 will wipe us [out]. For me, as a government official, this thing which I have passed through has been a well educative process both as a patient and a government official. When I go out there, I will know what people are going through,” Lusambo said.

“I am a government worker. And my job is to protect the people. We will continue protecting the people of Zambia. And I can assure you that now our work has to double from where we have ended. Because there is no person who is going to work. I think it is not necessary to attract gatherings but for me, it is not that those gatherings were planned, no. People would hear that ‘Bowman is this side’ and come. And when they come, definitely you cannot disappoint your supporters, you would want to talk to them.”

And Lusambo said he had helped health officials to trace all the people he had come in contact with.

“I am doing very well, I had symptoms of COVID-19. I have also helped with contact tracing. All my workers at the Ndola house were tested. All my brothers and sisters were tested. Here in Lusaka, the entire workforce at my house was tested. When you are moving from your house, you know that there is COVID-19 and what you are supposed to do. You are supposed to put on a face mask, carry hand sanitizer and practice social distance. No one should police your life. You have to protect your life. You can’t invest your life in me that ‘Bowman is going to protect my life, no’,” said Lusambo.

Meanwhile, Lusambo commended the health workers and the Ministry of Health for their tremendous job in treating COVID-19 patients.