Harare(New Ziana)- Police on Tuesday commended Zimbabweans for, by and large, heeding the call for a 21-day Covid-19 lockdown meant to stop the further spread of the virus in the country.

To date, Zimbabwe has eight confirmed cases of Covid-19, including one death.

In a statement, police national spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said by and large, people across the country were complying with the lockdown, which started on Monday.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds Zimbabweans who took heed of the Government’s call for a 21- day lockdown in an effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Generally people have complied with the call to stay at home, only those offering essential services and those with exemptions are allowed to move from one point to the other,” he said.

He said there were, however, a few incidents where some people ended up being arrested for disobeying the lockdown measures.

“Of concern are some acts which have been handled by the police, resulting in the arrest of 19 people for operating shabeen (illegal home-based bar), a bar, public drinking and various traffic offences,” he said.

“In Highfields at Lusaka produce market, 200 vendors tried to force their way into the market after pelting police officers with stones but were later dispersed. In Chitungwiza, police dispersed 70 people who had gathered at Unit H Shopping Centre. In the process, Luckson Rukainga (28) was arrested for stoning a police vehicle,” he said.

Nyathi implored citizens to continue observing set down parameters of the Covid-19 lockdown.

“We urge the public to continue complying with lockdown measures and to cooperate with police officers as the country strives to curb the spread of this deadly Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

New Ziana