Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday announced a raft of measures to contain and prevent the new Covid-19 strain called, omnicron .

Addressing the nation from State House, President Mnangagwa said the country had added risk because some of its neighbours had recorded cases of the new variant.

“What raises our concern and adds to our anxieties, is the outbreak of a new strain- Omicron – detected and reported in neighbouring countries only a few days ago. We face a new added risk, which compounds the burden we already face and shoulder from unknown variants we have been grappling since the outbreak of the pandemic.

“In view of this nnew, ominous development that Government has decided on new, enhanced measures to strengthen our national response, and to protext our nation from impact of a likely fourth wave, which the new variant, Omicron, will most certainly aggravate, ” he said.

The measures announced by President Mnangagwa include that all returning residents and visitors have to undergo PCR testing, and will be quarantined, at own cost, for days recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A daily Curfew, running from 9pm to 6am, will be imposed to limit movement and hence transmission.

Under the new Covid-19 regulations, all shops will open for business from 0700 Hours and will close for business by 1900 hours while all persons attending any gathering must observe protocols including masking, social distancing and sanitising.

Bars and restaurants will also open to fully vaccinated customers.

“Government will review these measures after er 14 days.

” Let me reiterate that Government requires individuals and communities to continue adhering to all the recommended protocols,” said President Mnangagwa.

New Ziana