Staff Reporter
Yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa relaxed the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown to Level 2 following a significant reduction in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the country.
Addressing the nation, President Mnangagwa said, “The last two weeks have seen our nation record a further marked reduction in new COVID-19 cases from a weekly average of 2564 in the second week of August to the current 1065.
“In addition, the weekly average of deaths has decreased from 140 to a weekly average of 76,” he said.
The President further commended Government for ensuring a strict adherence to the COVID-19 regulations.
“The marked decline in cases and deaths is a clear demonstration that Government’s careful implementation of Public Health and Social Measures including lockdowns in collaboration with all sectors and stakeholders is paying off,” said the President.
In his address, the President articulated what Level 2 entailed to the nation.
“A curfew beginning at 2200hours and ending at 0530 hours; Ordinary business enterprise to operate between 0800 hours and 1900 hours; Restaurant and bars within hotels and lodges to open between 0800 hours and 2200 hours; Bottle stores may sell liquor to customers for consumption off the premises between 1000 hours and 1600 hours; Beer halls and night clubs to remain closed during the lockdown period; Public gatherings to be limited to not more than one hundred (100) people with observance of public health measures of wearing masks, sanitising, social distancing and temperature checks and people are encouraged to be vaccinated; Decongestion of offices shall be at 50% of ordinary capacity; Intercity transport is permitted with observance of public health measures; low risk sporting activities shall operate from 0800 hours to 1600 hours while observing public health measures as previously described in the lockdown measures; Medium to high-risk sporting activities shall obtain approval before hand; and persons entering Zimbabwe from neighbouring and other countries must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe,” the President said.
Meanwhile law enforcement agencies are to continue enforcing all COVID-19 regulations as the Government has noted that the country is not yet out of the woods as a new virus has been identified by the World Health Organisation. The Ministry of Health and Child Care will also continue to roll out its vaccination programme as it is also a major preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.
