Govt relaxes COVID-19 lockdown regulations
GOVERNMENT has relaxed the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, extending curfew and business trading hours in the wake of a decline in new recorded cases.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said after assessing the COVID-19 situation, government agreed on moving the start of the curfew from 6pm to 8pm, while shops will now close at 4:30pm.
“Having noted the plight of the public and the need to lessen the risk of contracting COVID-19, Cabinet directed as follows, that the business hours which were ending at 15:00 hours be revisited to end at 1630 hours and the curfew to be extended to 2000 hours, that public transport drivers undergo regular COVID-19 PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests and that public transport buses be allowed a dedicated lane at roadblocks to expedite their passage,” she said.
Data released by government shows that 70 new cases were recorded yesterday and six deaths. A total of 257 recovered, leaving the active cases at 1 132.
Zimbabwe has recorded a total of 5 378 cases and 141 deaths since the pandemic hit the country in March.
Government said it was still battling to have doctors and nurses return to work following a stand-off over salaries and working conditions.
“Cabinet assures members of the public that measures are being put in place to ensure that health workers return to work, as the success of implementing the COVID-19 response is hinged on the availability of health staff,” she said.
Cabinet also insisted that the national public examinations for Grade 7, “O” Level and “A” Level will go ahead in November, although schools remain closed.
“Regarding Primary and Secondary Education, Cabinet notes that the sector is continuing with its preparations for the re-opening of schools for final examination classes. The developed and approved guidelines that were put in place for the June 2020 examinations will be used for the holding of the final examinations in November/December,” Mutsvangwa said.