Zimbabwe coronavirus lockdown update

He said all businesses and industries seeking to re-open should follow laid down measures previously announced in relation to social distancing, hand sanitization and temperature checking.

“Shops and supermarkets should continue to enforce the social distancing of their customers. The operating times of all businesses have been adjusted to be from 8 am to 4.30 pm,” he said.

Informal markets will however remain closed.

“Consultations on the phased re-opening of the informal sector are still ongoing. To date, only designated food markets shall be permitted to open,” said President Mnangagwa.

Bars and gymnasiums remain closed while inter-city and cross border movement of people remains banned except the transportation of cargo.

“The measures currently in place in relation to social gatherings for worship, weddings, funerals, political rallies and other such gatherings, remain in force. Low risk sporting codes, as will be outlined in the Statutory Instrument, shall be allowed to take place.

“Bars and gymnasiums remain closed. Restaurants and food outlets are permitted to open only for takeaways and deliveries,” said the President.

Commuter omnibuses and unregistered taxis also remain banned while the country would introduce mandatory testing of all cross border truck drivers.

“Only ZUPCO buses and ZUPCO contracted commuter omnibuses with the stipulated number of passengers, and adhering to the sanitization, and disinfection regulations will be permitted to operate.

“There shall be mandatory testing of truck drivers and other high risk populations,” Mnangagwa said.

The move comes amid reports that six Zimbabwean truck drivers tested positive to Covid-19 in Zambia on yesterday.

Mnangagwa appealed to all citizens to support the measures laid out under level 2 of the national lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19.

“I urge all of us to stay at home and only move when its necessary to do so,” he said.- New Ziana

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