Zimbabwe police issue guidelines on movement of people during 30-day lockdown

Zimbabwe police have issued guidelines on the movement of people during the 30-day lockdown announced by the government on Saturday and insisted that only employees in the essential service sectors such as health, food distribution, bank institutions, mining services, communication and telecommunications, agricultural production will be allowed to pass through checkpoints and roadblocks.

Police said letters of exemption for employees in the essential service sectors are going to be issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

They said people should stay at home except when they want to buy food or medicines.

Police said they would arrest anyone found in public places such as supermarkets, banks or pickup points without wearing masks or not practicing social distancing.

They said a bus driver and his conductor were arrested in Bulawayo for failing to test temp and sanitise passengers’ hands.

Below is the statement issued by Police earlier with the only change being that letters of exemption are now issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

ENFORCEMENT OF COVID-19 REGULATIONS BY POLICE WITH EFFECT FROM 5TH JANUARY 2021

In view of the revised COVID-19 regulations announced by the Government on 2nd January 2021 and the subsequent publication of Statutory Instrument 10/2021, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that only employees in the essential service sectors such as health, food distribution, bank institutions, mining services, communication and telecommunications, agricultural production will be allowed to pass through checkpoints and roadblocks.

The public is therefore implored to take heed of the Government’s COVID-19 national lockdown Level Four measures and restrictions and stay at home except movement to access food and medicines.

Police will effect arrests on anyone who will be found in public places such as supermarkets, banks, pickup points and others without wearing or improperly putting on masks and not practising social distancing.

For ease of reference and effective maintenance of law and order in the country, employers in the essential services sector which were given authority to operate in the pronouncement by the Government are required to adhere to the listed movement guidelines: –

Health

-Uniforms and health ID cards

-Those in civilian attire, a letter from Medical Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer (CEO] stating the place. Dates and times of reporting on and off duty.

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