ENFORCEMENT OF COVID-19 REGULATIONS BY POLICE WITH EFFECT FROM 5th of JANUARY 2021
In view of the revised COVID-19 regulations announced by the Government on 2nd January 2021 and the subsequent publication of Statutory Instrument 10/2021, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that only employees in the essential service sectors such as health, food distribution, bank institutions, mining services, communication and telecommunications, agricultural production will be allowed to pass through checkpoints and roadblocks.
The public is therefore implored to take heed of the Government’s COVID-19 national lockdown Level Four measures and restrictions and stay at home except movement to access food and medicines. Police will effect arrests on anyone who will be found in public places such as supermarkets, banks, pickup points and others without wearing or improperly putting on masks and not practising social distancing.
For ease of reference and effective maintenance of law and order in the country, employers in the essential services sector which were given authority to operate in the pronouncement by the Government are required to adhere to the listed movement guidelines: –
Service Provider Documents to be considered for movement exemptions
Health
• Uniforms and health ID cards • Those in civilian attire, a letter from Medical Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer [CEO] stating the place. Dates and times of reporting on and off duty.
Companies Organisations
• Letters from Company Chief Executive Officer [CEO] or General Manager [GM] whichever the case, stating the place, days and times of reporting on and off duty. • Letters should bear full particulars of the issuer, including his or her contact details. • Letters should be taken to the Officer in Charge of a local Station for authenticity to guard against fake letters.
Ministries ParastataIs and Provincial Levels
• At National level, an exemption letter from Directors and above and Headmasters, stating the duty, place, days and times of reporting.
• At Provincial level, an exemption letter from Provincial Heads stating the duty, place, days and times of reporting. Commercial A2 and Al farmers
• An offer letter/ lease agreement and an exemption certificate from Officer in Charge Station.
Communal Farmers
• Supporting letter from the Headman / Village Head stating the business to be done, the date, time, place and an exemption letter from Officer in Charge Station.
Food retailers • Certified photocopies of a shop licence and an exemption letter from Officer in Charge Station.
Sole traders • Shop licence accompanied by an exemption letter from Officer in Charge Station.
Private Security Services • Uniform, company ID and letter from the management stating dates and times of reporting on and off duty.
Medical supplies
• Medical cards/prescription / National Blood transfusion service documents Attendance of • Officer in Charge Station, Officer
Funerals
Commanding District and Officer Commanding Province to issue exemption letters showing destination and dates of going and returning. • To stick to the restricted attendance of 30 mourners or less.
Clarity on access to food / medical supplies
There is no need for movement exemption letters for those going to buy or restock foodstuffs or medication within a 5km radius from a place of residence unless there is no such establishment within that radius or the needed service is not available there, in which case one may obtain it from the nearest location to his or her home.
Members of the public are urged to cooperate with Police and other security services to ensure that health, safety and security of all Zimbabweans are heightened during the second wave of this deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
BY
[NYATHI.P] Assistant Commissioner Senior Staff Officer [Press, Public and Int. Relations] to the Commissioner-General of Police Police General Headquarters
