Students study while observing social distancing guidelines in a classroom at Ng'ombe Parent-Teacher Association School in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, June 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Martin Mbangweta)

Zambian President Edgar Lungu said that people have no option but to adapt and learn to live with the COVID-19 pandemic which will not go away any time soon.

LUSAKA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu said on Saturday that people have no option but to adapt and learn to live with the COVID-19 pandemic which will not go away any time soon.

The Zambian leader said the world was living in difficult and challenging times as the COVID-19 has continued to influence and change how people were living and working.

He noted that people could not stop working completely without definite knowledge as to when the coronavirus might stop being a threat to their lives.

"We have a duty to adapt and learn to live with this pandemic," he said when he commissioned newly-constructed houses for police officers in southern Zambia's Monze district, according to a statement emailed to Xinhua.

Workers disinfect the Zambezi market in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, May 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Martin Mbangweta)

Zambia recorded its first coronavirus case in March, a move that prompted the government to impose restrictive measures which saw only essential workers reporting for work while others were told to be operating from home.

The government also closed three of the country's four international airports to curb a rise in cases.

However, the Zambian leader reopened the three airports last month as well as eased certain restrictions, saying there was need to balance between the health of people and the economy.

Zambia has so far reported cumulative cases of 1,642 and 30 deaths.