2 000 arrests for lockdown violations:

AS law enforcement agents tighten the grip to ensure compliance with Covid-19 lockdown directives in light of increasing local infections, more than 2 000 arrests were made during the last two weeks.

The bulk of those who flouted lockdown regulations paid fines while some were sent to court.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringa Kakohwa said it is disturbing to note that some people are not taking Covid-19 seriously despite increasing confirmed cases and fatalities.

“Numbers show that this pandemic is spreading fast in this country.

“Members of the public need to take precautionary measures and stay at home, wear masks and observe physical distance.

“Members of the public do not need to be reminded by the police to look after themselves. The fight against Covid-19 requires concerted effort,” he said.

Inspector Kakohwa said three businesses were arrested for operating after the stipulated hours.

A total of 1200 people were nabbed for violating movement regulations while 721 were arrested for not wearing face masks in public.

A survey conducted by this publication this week revealed that several people are not wearing face masks when they go out. In addition, at vegetable markets in Dangamvura, Chikanga and Hobhouse, vendors and their customers are interacting without observing physical distancing.

The same is also obtaining at bus termini across the province as people queue for transport.

When it comes to shops in high-density suburbs, most of them are falling short on health guidelines as they are not screening their customers through temperature checks or sanitising their hands.