President Mutharika has effectively declared a state of disaster in a national address made a short while ago.

He said despite not having a case, Malawi needs to prepare in advance, assuring people that his government is doing all it could to put any threat at bay.

The President has declared that all public gatherings such as weddings, funerals and church services should have a maximum of 100 people.

President Mutharika says government has since set aside K15 billion towards measures against the spread of the virus.