The workers are also demanding that authorities give them risk allowances, training on COVID-19 and urgently recruit additional staff.

They said with one positive COVID 19 case in the district, it is very dangerous to work in such unfavorable environment.

The health workers have vowed that they will only get back to work until their concerns are addressed.

Chikwawa District Hospital Health Office Spokesperson, Setti Piriminta, said that they are engaging the workers to understand and address their grievances.

The incident occurred soon after a member of Cabinet Committee on COVID 19, Ralph Jooma visited the district to appreciate the preparedness measures which the district has put to contain the virus where the issues were raised.

Minister Jooma said government and UNICEF are procuring the equipment to make sure medical staff ably manage the Corona Virus.

"We therefore ask the councils including Chikwawa to enforce all preventive measures like closing the bars so as to avoid further spread of the pandemic," said Jooma.