- UPDATE ON THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Cabinet received an update on the country’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which was presented by the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs as Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19.
Cabinet was informed that as at yesterday 1st March 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 36 115, with 32 905 recoveries and 1 463 deaths. It is noted that the positivity rate is declining, a trend attributable to preventive measures being enforced across the country.
It is in line with this decline that His Excellency the President has now reviewed the lockdown measures. Going forward the following reviews are now made to the previously announced lockdown measures: (i) the wearing of face masks, temperature checks as well as washing of hands or use of sanitisers in all public areas remain mandatory; (ii) the curfew which was starting from 2000 hours and ending at 0530hrs is now starting from 2200 hours and ending at 0500 hours. Letters are no longer required for movement; (iii) supermarkets can now remain open up to 7pm to reduce congestion, and must enforce social distancing within their premises; (iv) industry can open, with strict adherence to World Health Organisation set standards and National Covid 19 Guidelines such as the regular disinfection of premises, social distancing, hand sanitization and use of body temperature checks at entrances. Non compliance in this regard will attract targeted closures of entities.
