Harare (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday announced adjustments to the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown which include the re-opening of informal businesses and churches, a move he said was meant to further open up the economy.
Zimbabwe is currently in level 2 of a nationwide lockdown meant to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
In an address to review the lockdown, President Mnangagwa said though the lockdown remained at level 2 for an indefinite period, it was time to re-open the economy.
“Although our lockdown remains at Level 2, let us begin to further open up, remembering that we all have a role to play. Government, hand in hand with an empowered private sector will do all in its power to open up the economy, to provide the jobs and the opportunities the people of Zimbabwe so richly deserve,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the latest adjustments to the lockdown took into account the current spike in the number of Covid-19 infections, being spurred by returning citizens.
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 332 Covid-19 cases, including four deaths
“Under this review, we recognise that the current spike in the number of positive cases, requires that we take a more cautious approach in relaxing the lockdown restrictions. As such, the following adjustments to the lockdown are made:
“All our people in the informal sector, who have not formally registered themselves or their enterprises, are directed to do so. Once they can prove that such registration has been made, they can resume their operations. Upon resuming their work, they are compelled to adhere to the laid down Covid-19 prevention requirements, such as the wearing of masks, washing or sanitization of hands and social distancing,” he said.
Gatherings for the purpose of worship must remain at a maximum of fifty and in full compliance with all the Covid-19 prevention measures, he said.
“People are urged to travel when it is absolutely necessary. The moratorium on rent payment, made during the early phases of the lockdown is hereby lifted. Rent arrears can be paid back in instalments over a period of six months,” he added.
President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to adjust to the ‘new normal’.
“In this new normal we must be vigilant. We must not rest. The virus is still with us. It has neither disappeared nor been destroyed. It has neither vanished nor been vanquished, it lives amongst us. So please act with caution. Wear a mask at all times when you are outside the house.
“Don’t cough into your hands, maintain social distancing wherever possible. Do not spend time in enclosed spaces with strangers, and ensure that windows are open in workspaces. Wash or sanitize your hands regularly and thoroughly,” he said.
He added: “This may seem rudimentary, but these small acts may just save the life of your grandmother or grandfather, brother or sister, mother or father, friend or co-worker; even your own life.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was grateful for the support it continued to receive in the fight against the pandemic from both internal institutions and organisations as well as from external governments, institutions and development partners.
“I am happy to announce that we have once again received a considerable consignment of (Personal Protective Equipment) PPEs and other materials from the People’s Republic of China. We remain grateful to His Excellency, President Xi Jinping and the Government and People of China for their solidarity and support.
“I would like to applaud and congratulate the African Union, through the AU Bureau, for the innovative tech-driven strategies that have been developed to ensure equitable and affordable access to all materials related to the prevention and fight against the Covid-19. We further commend the continued calls by the African Union member states, for the lifting of sanctions against our country,” he said.
New Ziana
