Mnangagwa To Address Zimbabwe Regarding Covid-19 Lockdown
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to address the nation regarding the covid-19 lockdown.
According to a notice posted by State owned ZTN News, Mnangagwa’s address will be broadcast on national television and on both private and State owned radio stations.
In the notice posted on Twitter, ZTN News said:
Covid-19: What is #Zimbabwe‘s Next Move? Do not miss President @edmnangagwa‘s address to the nation today on ztn.co.zw and our other digital platforms.
Covid-19: What is #Zimbabwe‘s Next Move?
Do not miss President @edmnangagwa‘s address to the nation today on https://t.co/sz4ozRwfFx and our other digital platforms.#GetThePicture #Zimbabwe @HeraldZimbabwe @StarFMNews @ChronicleZim @GeorgeMsumba @tshuma584 pic.twitter.com/RiwrRd0VD0
— 🆉🆃🅽 🅽🅴🆆🆂 (@ZTNnews) July 21, 2020
Mnangagwa’s address comes at a time when Zimbabwe has tightened security and citizens are banned from entering Central Business Districts (CBDs) as part of measures to curb the further transmission of covid-19.
In recent weeks Mnangagwa also touted that he would tighten the lockdown measures stating that he priorities lives before the economy.
The government has also assumed sole responsibility of intercity travel. Travelers will need to produce exemption letters with civil servants that have been cleared by the Public Service Commission as essential required to come to work while the rest remain under lockdown.
Zimbabwe has also introduced a one year jail term for those absconding quarantine centres whilst house parties and shabeens have been outlawed.
Unnecessary movement in suburbs has been curtailed.
Government also ordered the closure of Chinhoyi University of Techonlogy (CUT) after a lecturer tested positive for covid-19.
There are also reports that the country will next week embark on massive community testing targeting to reach at least 100 000 people in the coming few weeks.
The main thrust of the testing campaign is to identify, trace and isolate all suspected cases.
Harare will conduct 30,000 tests with the help of Higher Life Foundation and Mars. The process would start off with rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), from which those positive will be tested again using the definitive method known as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Cabinet last week announced the imminent tightening of lockdown restrictions and localised lockdowns in hotspots amid concerns over rising cases.
Schools’ scheduled reopening next week was deferred while the further opening up of the economy was suspended.
The scaling up of testing in communities is part of new measures to curb further transmission.
Mnangagwa Imposes Curfew As Part Of New Lockdown Measures
In his address to Zimbabweans Mnangagwa announced that there will be a curfew starting on Wednesday 22 July, 2020. The curfew will start from 6PM to 6AM with all security forces expected to enforce the dusk to dawn curfew.
He also said with effect from 22 July, 2020, businesses will operate from 8AM to 3PM.
Mnangagwa also said all non-working sections of our population will be required to stay at home except for securing food, water, and health services.
All public gatherings for religious, social or political purposes remain banned whilst food markets remain operational.
He said the measures will be eased once the situation has improved.