PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced stricter COVID-19 measures for Mashonaland West following the surge in COVID-19 and death of two government officials in Karoi.
By Patricia Mashiri
Places under localised lockdowons at the moement include Makonde district, Hurungwe district and Kariba districts and Kwekwe and President Mnangagwa said the COVID outbreak in Zambia which exposes Kariba and other neighboring districts from across the border.
COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the above-mentioned districts. On Monday 14 June 2021 Mash West had 38 cases, on Tuesday the figure went up to 115 new cases and on Wednesday they were 105 new cases. Karoi 10 tobacco auction floors and this has resulted in the town drawing growers from as far as Gokwe and Chegutu and people from Harare.
“The Town is a business hub and has the potential to spread the disease to other parts of the country. We lost 2 senior government employees today in Karoi. In Chinhoyi test on 15 people found 15 COVID-19 positive. There is a serious outbreak in Zambia and this exposes Kariba to COVID-19 from across the border,” President Mnangagwa said.
He also announced a list of restrictions for Masholanad west districts and these include a curfew from 1800hrs to 0600 hrs. Entry or exit into these districts is prohibited, except for Essential services, shop and business operating hours from 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs, public transport to carry half their carrying capacity to enable physical distancing. Every public transport vehicle to be disinfected after every trip.
“Proper wearing of face masks in public and public transport vehicles, sanitizing and temperature checks on boarding public transport vehicles and entering any business premises, no face-to-face meetings. All public gatherings except funeral gatherings are banned. Funeral gatherings to have a maximum of 30 people. All COVID-19 funerals to be supervised by MoHCC personnel. Bars, beerhalls, and night clubs to be closed.
“Bottle stores to operate from 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. No drinking in the bottle store, or its environments. No loitering in Public places. Hotel and lodge restaurants and bars to provide room service only. All other restaurants and fast-food outlets to serve only take away with no sit ins. Decongest office employees to 25% except for essential services.”
Long haulage trucks are to stop, park or rest in designated places only (Local JOC to designate the places for enforcement purposes). Tobacco auction floors and GMB o operate from 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs. Every employee of the tobacco auction floor to have a negative PCR or Rapid antigen COVID-19 test not older than 10 days.
