by Innocent Mujeri
Government has eased the lockdown regulations and announced that the curfew hours have been reduced to between 8pm to 6am starting from today and businesses will be allowed to operate up to 4.30 pm.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, while addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“Having noted the plight of the public and the need to lessen the risk of contracting COVID-19, Cabinet directed as follows, that the business hours which were ending at 15:00 hours be revisited to end at 1630 hours and the curfew to be extended to 2000 hours,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
There was an outcry from the commuting public on the duration of the curfew since 21 July 2020, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa imposed a curfew and reinstated strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus following a spike in cases.
People were complaining that the curfew brought with it transport challenges because ZUPCO buses were overwhelmed and this resulted in some people failing to get transport back home before the start of the curfew.
The Minister also announced that public transport drivers will now need to undergo a regular COVID-19 PCR tests and all public transport buses be allowed a dedicated lane at roadblocks to expedite their passage.
Cabinet also eased quarantine requirements for Zimbabwean returnees who meet newly set criteria spelt out yesterday.
“Cabinet has further directed that immigrants who are PCR negative on arrival will no longer be detained, but be put on home quarantine and reviews will be conducted by the Rapid Response Teams in that locality. Those who test positive on arrival will be placed in isolation centres,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa also assured the public that measures are being put in place to ensure that health workers return to work, as the success of implementing the COVID-19 response hinges on the availability of health staff.
She further said that acquisition of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) for health workers and front liners is being prioritized.
Zimbabwe embarked on a national lockdown on 30 March 2020, to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease. However, the lockdown conditions have been periodically reviewed based on the increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.
