Police tighten curfew enforcement

POLICE have moved in to tighten enforcement of curfew, having noted that most people were breaching the 6pm to 6am curfew.

In a memorandum to officers commanding districts, the officer commanding operations said there will be intensification of screening of deserving travellers during curfew times, allowing passage only to those providing essential services.

Police also noted that non-essential service businesses were operating on the strength of letters issued by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and International Trade yet they are not essential services.

“(Some) individuals and businesses are now operating in violation of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 which barred all non-essential service providers to operate during the current Level (IV) of National Lockdown,” the memo read.

Police have been urged to ensure that companies and businesses not in the category of essential service, but operating close shop.

“This is regardless of being in possession of exemption letters. The guiding principle is the Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 which is very clear on which industry or service provider is exempted from National lockdown.”

Vehicles which are not in the category of essential services are also not allowed to pass check points.

“No vehicles should be allowed to pass a checkpoint if they are not in the category of essential services. Such vehicles should be arrested or made to go back where they will be coming from,” the memo reads.

Funeral gatherings have been deemed to be one of the super spreaders of coronavirus, and as such, the stipulated maximum number of thirty (30) mourners have to be strictly adhered to.

Below are some of the essential services exempted from National Lockdown and should be allowed to operate:

Any health care service;

Any service relating to the generation, supply and distribution of electricity, water, sewerage, sanitary; Fire brigade or ambulance services; Any service relating to the production, supply, delivery or distribution of food (in particular Supermarkets and food retail stores), fuel or coal (note that fuel includes gas);

Banking Institutions, Bureaux de changes, money transfer services; Any mining services; Any service relating to manufacturing; Communications and Telecommunication services, including the Internet;

All Arms and Organs of the State engaged in providing security services and licensed Private Security services;

Government Printer (Printflow Private Limited);

The conduct of Agricultural activities on farms; The supply of Agricultural inputs and stock feeds; and

The supply and distribution of veterinary requirements for domesticated farm and nonfarm animals and the dipping of cattle.

Public transport services shall be restricted to those provided by ZUPCO, Public Service Association and omnibuses or other passenger service vehicles operated or chartered for carriage of essential services staff.

Employees of manufacturers and persons employed in mining operations.

The conducting of public examinations at Schools, Colleges, Universities or other Tertiary Education institutions in accordance with circulars issued by the ministries responsible for primary, secondary, tertiary or technical education.

Cycling, walking or jogging as individuals but must wear masks.