Harare(New Ziana)-Security forces will intensify patrols aimed at enforcing compliance with the lockdown measures during the Easter holiday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Thursday.
Currently the country has recorded 11 coronavirus cases, including three deaths.
The pandemic, which has caused unprecedented havoc globally, has resulted in Zimbabwe imposing a 21 day total lockdown.
In an Easter message, President Mnangagwa said though it was sad for people not to congregate over Easter due to the lockdown, it was mandatory to stay at home as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“I am aware that in the past, the Easter holiday season would see most families , friends as well as worshippers gather together to remember the gift of eternal life given to us by God through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Sadly, this will not be possible this holiday, as we continue to observe the essential lockdown we instituted to prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
“I urge us all to continue to stay at home as well as practising good hygiene and observing social distance. Meanwhile our security arms will be intensifying their patrols to ensure compliance and to curb the movement of both pedestrians and vehicles,” he said.
Normally, Christian worshippers around the world congregate to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Easter holiday.
The President expressed hope that the Easter period would remind the nation that the coronavirus would pass.
“May Easter also remind us that the seemingly irresolvable human problems are not eternal. There is hope. This situation will not last forever, it will come to pass. Things will go back to normal; but in the meantime, we must be patient and responsible,” he said.
He also paid tribute to the many men and women constituting the essential services for keeping the country functional during the lockdown period.
“We shall be moving with greater speed to provide the workers in the frontline with all the adequate Personal Protective Equipment and Personal Protective Clothing as well as the requisite training to ensure their safety in the wake of the COVID-19 threat.
“In addition, I would like to commend the various stakeholders, from across the social spectrums, who are giving generously towards our fight against Covid-19. Together we are stronger. Going forward, these bonds and partnerships that are being created among our society must be nurtured and strengthened. We need each other. The answer to this crisis lies in our discipline and unity,” he said.
New Ziana
