Police urges people to comply with lockdown measures

Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has urged the public to fully comply with the enhanced Covid-19 national lockdown measures announced by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday.

In a Press Statement yesterday, the ZRP warned and implored Churches to comply with Government’s ban on gatherings, adding that unnecessary loitering of people during curfew period will not be accepted.

“The Police will ensure that the curfew order imposed by the Government from 1830 hours till 0630 hours the following morning is religiously adhered to. All unnecessary movements by the public will be dealt with and arrests effected.

“Members of the public who are holding Church gatherings which include all night prayers by some religious groups are warned and implored to comply with the Government’s ban on gatherings. The public should take note that only gatherings of funerals of 30 or less people are allowed. Police Officers on patrol will check on compliance for the security of all,” reads part of the Statement.

The ZRP warned that transporters who will be found contravening the Government intercity passenger traffic ban will have their staff arrested and the buses impounded. “No Mushika-shika or pirate taxis will be tolerated. Any connivance by these illegal operators with members of the public will be severely dealt with,” further reads the statement.

President Mnangagwa on Tuesday informed the nation to start operating under Level 4 Covid19 lockdown regulations following the continued intensification of the Alpha and Delta Covid19 variants across the country. 

The Delta variant was first identified in India, the mutations in it make it replicate faster and is 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant.

Level 4 enhanced lockdown measures will run for a duration of two weeks and will be reviewed thereafter. The Lockdown prohibits movements while making sure that travellers from countries with Alpha and Delta Covid19 variants are quarantined on arrival.  

Meanwhile, as at 30 June 2021, Zimbabwe had 49 864 confirmed cases    including 39 121 recoveries and 1 789 deaths. A total of 777 161 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19.