President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said the lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will continue for another 14 days, but the measure will be relaxed to Level 2.
Zimbabwe had earlier on lifted lockdown restrictions in some sectors including mining and marketing of tobacco after the first 21 days of lockdown.
“This partial relaxing to Level 2 is designed to restart certain sectors of the economy while recognising the compelling credence in maintaining the lockdown,” the Zimbabwean President said.
“It is imperative that our nation continues to act on two fronts, namely saving people’s lives on one hand, and saving the national economy, on the other hand.”
Level 2 lockdown in Zimbabwe entails the following adjustment.
All people must wear masks of any type, including home-made ones, outside homes.
The reopening of the industry will commence, provided that companies must ensure mandatory Rapid Diagnosis Testing of all employees, social distancing in the workplace, sanitisation and that all employees wear masks.
Operating hours for industries shall be from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the informal sector remains closed, except the agriculture and food supply chains (markets). All those who are vulnerable should approach the Department of Social Welfare for assistance,” the Zimbabwean President said.
“Public buses only will be the mode of public transport. Omnibuses (Kombies) and smaller taxis are still not permitted to operate. Bus operators must ensure that their buses are disinfected twice daily and that commuters wear masks, have their temperatures checked and hands sanitised before boarding buses. Social distancing must also be maintained within all buses.”
“Industry, commerce and bus operators can only re-open and operate upon fulfilling the outlined requirements. Health inspection teams will immediately randomly check for compliance. Those who fail to comply will be stopped from operating,” he said.
Maintenance of mandatory and quarantine protocols in line with Regional and international Standards will continue. Returning residents and international travellers to Zimbabwe will be put on a 21-day quarantine with full testing on day 1, day 8 and day 21.
Churches, gyms, bottle stores, bars, beer halls and other leisure and recreational facilities remain closed.
Gatherings of less than 50 people are to be maintained.
