New Covid-19 measures announced
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday announced new Covid-19 measures in response to the outbreak of a new strain — Omicron — detected and reported in neighbouring countries a few days ago.
He said the country faced a “new, added risk, which compounds the burden we already face and shoulder from known variants we have been grappling since the outbreak of the pandemic” and announced new measures “to protect our nation from impact of a likely 4th Wave, which the new variant, Omicron, will most certainly aggravate.”
The President said “with immediate effect . . . all returning residents and visitors have to undergo PCR testing, and will be quarantined, at own cost, for days recommended by WHO, even if they present negative PCR test results from elsewhere.”
He added that “a daily curfew, running from 9pm to 6am, will be imposed to limit movement and hence transmission.
“Only essential services categories announced in previous gazettes stand exempt.”
All shops will open for business from 0700 Hours and will close for business by 1900 Hours under the new measures while number and behaviour of all persons attending any gathering must observe and comply with WHO protocols i.e. masking, social distancing and sanitising.
President Mnangagwa also said “all Covid-19 related funerals will strictly be supervised by Ministry of Health and Child Care Environmental Health Officers and Technicians.”
Meanwhile, no liquor will be consumed at bottle stores, which consequently cease to be drinking premises until further notice under the new measures while night clubs and bars will admit vaccinated clients only.
Restaurants are required to close at 1900 hours and all those eligible for Covid-19 vaccination are being called upon to get vaccinated.
The President said the Government would review the measures after 14 days.