A new statutory instrument that has been produced for the current extension of Zimbabwe’s lockdown restricts the exportation of medical supplies out of the country.
A person is allowed to export medical supplies after acquiring a license from the Ministry according to Statutory Instrument 93 of 2020 (SI 93)Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 3).
SI 93 says,”No person shall export or attempt to export from Zimbabwe medical supplies needed to combat COVID-19 unless the exporter or other person in charge of the consignment for export of such supplies produces to a revenue, customs or enforcement officer a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Minister to the effect that such supplies are in excess of what is required in Zimbabwe to combat the disease.”
“Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to fine not exceeding level twelve or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
In terms of cross-border deliveries, the latest statutory instrument only allows drivers to stop only at border posts and designated truck stops.
Truck drivers and crew are only allowed to temporarily leave vehicles for the purposes of using ablution facilities or assisting in refuelling.
” …every driver and every member of the crew of a transit goods vehicle or cross-border goods vehicle requiring to remain in Zimbabwe for a period in excess of 24 hours must proceed to and remain at a place of quarantine at the border post, designated truck stop or other place designated by an enforcement officer until departure,” the Statutory Instrument says.
Returning drivers and crew, however, shall be treated as any other citizen on returning into the country. Citizens returning into Zimbabwe are required to go under quarantine for 21 days.
As for plane users, SI 93 says unless flight plan of the aircraft contemplated an overnight stopover, or except in exiguous circumstances, every such aircraft must depart within ten (10) hours of arrival.
Plane crew members on overnight stopover are supposed to proceed and remain at a place of quarantine at the airport or aerodrome until departure.
