Machinga District Health Office Spokesperson, Clifton Ngozo, says this is in response to a Cholera case which the district registered last week.

Ngozo says together with other stakeholders, they will be banning all restaurants that are not meeting the required standards.

"We set up a team of different stakeholders, including those from Balaka health office to come up with solution to the cholera outbreak we had," noted Ngozo.

“We agreed to do inspections in all water sources and food selling points, if we identify lack of hygiene, we are mandated to close such a facility,” he added.

Meanwhile, a health rights expert, Maziko Matemba has commended the move but has advised other district council to pump in more resources for a smooth running of the exercise.

"This should be a wakeup call to all district councils and health authorities to be active in such times.

“I hope to see other districts authorities putting more resources for such exercises as you know we cholera is so contagious," said Matemba.