Zim imposes Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown

Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Tuesday imposed a two-week Level 4 lockdown as government battles a third wave of Covid-19 infections.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the heightened lockdown takes immediate effect, and will see, among other things, government embarking on a massive vaccination blitz.

“The Level 4 enhanced lockdown measures, which take immediate effect, will run for the duration of two weeks, and will be reviewed thereafter,” he said.

Curfew was moved to 18:30 to 06:00, while businesses and industry will operate between 08:00 and 15:30.
President Mnangagwa said companies are expected to decongest the workspace by ensuring a maximum of 40 percent of staff will be at work during the period.

“Commercial transport is to remain operational to allow the economy to continue to run, but all people must observe Covid-19 protocols,” he said.

Government has attributed the surge in new Covid-19 infections to complacency.

In the past week, the country recorded over 4 600 new cases, a jump of more than 100 percent from the previous week.

Under the enhanced measures, intercity travel was banned, save for production and distribution of goods and services.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa said people travelling from countries were the Alpha and Delta variants have been identified, will be compulsorily quarantined at their own expense and will be tested for at least four of the 10 days they will be in seclusion.

“Those deported to Zimbabwe will be subjected to self-quarantine , or will be quarantined at identified places,” he said.

Zimbabwe has since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year recorded 47 282 cases and 1 749 deaths as at June 28, 2021.

And with a Covid-19 vaccination drive launched in February this year, nearly 765 000 people have received the first dose while about 535 000 got the second jab.
New Ziana