By Staff Reporter
Relaxation in lockdown announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday has been hailed by many Zimbabweans who have resumed their economic activities curtailed by the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
Speaking to this publication yesterday, Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) president, Linda Masarira, applauded President Mnangagwa for opening up the economy so that the generality of the people can survive.
“I would like to applaud the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa for heeding our call to open up the economy. Life had become unbearable for millions of families because of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
“I just urge all Zimbabweans to ensure that they abide to COVID-19 regulations. We are all responsible for protecting each other and curbing the spread of the pandemic,” said Masarira.
Masarira added that the abolishment of exemption letters for travelers is a welcome move as it will enable people to trade easily so that they can sustain their livelihoods.
MDC-T national treasurer, Dr Tapiwa Mashakada, said the relaxation of the lockdown shows that President Mnangagwa is fully aware of the emerging unemployment and deprivation of people owing to lockdown.
While welcoming the decision to relax lockdown, traders at Glen View Area 8 Complex, said they will fully abide by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and will not allow customers without face masks in their premises.
“We shall not entertain customers coming without face masks to enter our premises. We will make sure that there is no congestion in the premises so that people can maintain social distancing,” said the trader at Glen View Area 8 Complex.
Enoch Mhembere, a bus driver, said he was relieved to hear that intercity travel has been allowed as this means that his job is back.
“Level four lockdown was a thorn in our flesh. As bus drivers, we could not fend for our families as we were no longer working because of lockdown. We thank the President for allowing us to operate again because life had become unbearable for us bus drivers.
Government re-introduced Level Four lockdown on 4 January 2021 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic after a surge in infections.
However, last Monday, President Mnangagwa relaxed the lockdown regulations to allow the economy to operate again.
