Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has announced stricter lockdown restrictions in an effort to curb the second wave of the Coronavirus currently ravaging the country.
The announcement came at a time when there is a sharp increase in COVID-19 cased in Zimbabwe.
The following are the measures that were announced:
- Informal traders are suspended for 30 days starting on Tuesday
- Cross border traders are stopped forthwith save for commercial and transit cargo related to essential and critical services.
- Curfew has been revised from 6 am to 6 pm
- Only essential services are to remain open such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets, with only essential staff allowed to come to work. These services can only open at 8 am and must close at 3pm and will be subject to curfew that will start at 6pm and end at 6am.
- Mining, manufacturing and agriculture will operate without restrictions
- Public gatherings like funerals reduced to 30 people
- Other gatherings like churches, bars, restaurants, gym, etc banned completely for 30 days
- The existing covid 19 preventive health measures will be strictly enforced that is to say the correct wearing of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitization and temperature checks will be strictly enforced and offenders will be prosecuted.
- Interprovincial and inter City transport services are restricted only to essential services and Part 4 commercial services.
- Only exam classes will be allowed to open the rest of the classes remain closed
- Air transportation remains unhindered and will continue as before with arrivals and returning residents being required to present Covid 19 free certificates. As for land access only returning residents and essential service drivers will be admitted subject to presentation of Covid 19 free certificates. These certificates must have been issued at least 48 hours before departure.
- Restaurants, bottle stores and bars are closed for 30 days except for bars and restaurants serving hotel residents. Also, tourist facilities and national parks will operate as before subject to the usual health precautions.
The general public has been urged to stay at home and leave just for buying food and medicine or transporting sick relatives.