Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa on Monday eased some Covid-19 regulations that will see the opening up of industry and commerce ensuring free movement as people will not be asked for letters.
The country has been on lockdown beginning January due to a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths amid threat of the South African Covid-19 variant which spreads and kills faster.
In his address, President Mnangagwa said vaccination remains free for citizens and that wearing of face masks, temperature checks and washing of hands remains mandatory.
Zimbabwe received its first delivery of 200,000 doses of Sinopharm on Monday at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in the capital city Harare.
The Chinese coronavirus vaccine was donated by the East Asian nation’s government while another batch of 600,000 doses purchased by Zimbabwe is expected to arrive early next month.
This shipment from China comes after prior vaccine dose deliveries to Egypt and Equatorial Guinea.
Vaccination priority will be given to frontline workers such as health professionals and immigration agents working at borders, according to the rollout plan in Zimbabwe — which has as of Sunday, reported 35,104 COVID-19 cases and almost 1,398 deaths.
Many more doses beyond this first batch of 200,000 will be necessary to achieve herd immunity in Zimbabwe as 60% of its population, i.e. 10 million people would need to vaccinated.
Below are some of the highlights of his speech:
Vaccination is for free
Wearing of face masks, temperature check, washing of hands remains mandatory
Curfew adjusted 10pm to 5.30
Letters no longer required for movements
Supermarkets can now be open up to 7pm
Industry to open with strict adherance to WHO and national Covid-19 regulations
Intercity Travel to resume but buses should be disinfected
Social Gatherings – funerals remain at 30, other gatherings
Restaurants Open for Take aways
Bars, pubs remain closed
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