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Fungi Kwaramba
Political Editor
The national lockdown was yesterday eased from Level Four to Level Two by President Mnangagwa.

Addressing the nation from State House, the President stressed that Zimbabweans needed to keep up their guard and observe all the lockdown rules, especially as new variants were appearing.

He urged everyone to get vaccinated.

The curfew now runs from 10pm until 5.30am, business trading hours are now from 8am to 7pm, while intercity travel has been restored, all under strict continuing public health rules.

Social gatherings of up to 100 people are now permitted.

The President said the enhanced lockdown measures introduced by Government in June to beat back the third wave of infection had paid off with a marked decline in infection and death rates, allowing him to now ease the lockdown level.

In the last two weeks, Zimbabwe saw a further reduction in new Covid-19 cases from a weekly total of 2 564 in the second week of August 2021 to the current of 1 065.

Deaths have decreased from a weekly toll of 140 to 76. Death rates tend to lag two to three weeks behind infection rates as it takes time for an infected person to develop severe symptoms.

“The marked decline in cases and deaths is a clear demonstration that Government’s careful implementation of public health and social measures including lockdowns, in collaboration with all sectors and stakeholders is paying off.

“I am therefore introducing a relaxation of the current Level Four lockdown to Level Two lockdown,” he said.

Under Level Four, most businesses were able to remain open but working hours were reduced to 8am to 3.30pm, the curfew tightened to 6.30pm to 6am, and religious and social gatherings, except funerals, were banned.

Over the last few weeks religious services were permitted for the fully vaccinated followed by restaurants, gyms and health centres opening for the same group.

Schools were re-opened last week for examination classes and this week for the rest of the classes.

Besides the shorter curfew and longer permitted business hours, restaurants and bars within hotels and lodges can open between 8am and 10pm, but bars, beerhalls and nightclubs remain closed for at two more weeks, when the lockdown comes up for its next review.

Bottle stores, which have been permitted to sell alcohol under the tight opening times of other businesses for consumption off the premises, will not benefit much from the general relaxation of business hours, having to close at 4pm.

Staff levels at non-essential workplaces remain restricted, but can move up from 25 percent to 50 percent.

While public gatherings of up to 100 people are now allowed, everyone will have to wear masks, practise social distancing, sanitise and undergo temperature checks.

Sporting activities can resume, under tight restrictions, the President announced. Low-risk activities can take place from 8am to 4pm, with strict public health measures observed, but medium risk to high risk activities need prior approval from the relevant authorities.

Everyone entering Zimbabwe, whether from neighbouring countries or further afield, must undergo a Covid-19 PCR test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe.

Amid the emergence of a new variant already identified in South Africa currently referred to as C.1.2, President Mnangagwa however warned Zimbabweans not to drop guard as the threat from the virus still lingers.

“Government recognises that the threat of the pandemic still exists, especially in view of the recent identification of a new virus variant by the World Health Organisation.

“The nation must therefore remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies will continue to strengthen enforcement of all recommended Covid-19 regulations whilst the Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to roll out Covid-19 vaccines to every corner of the country.

“Vaccination is a critical additional prevention measure.

“I therefore urge all of us to get vaccinated and continue to adhere to all the other recommended prevention measures such as, washing our hands with soap and running water or sanitising our hands, staying at home, social distancing, and avoiding crowds.

“We must remain focused on ending this pandemic for the health of the nation and for the growth of our economy,” he said.

Through a comprehensive vaccination drive that is free of charge, Government has led an inoculation campaign that has resulted in 2 729 955 people having had at least one jab by Tuesday with 1 728 797 of these now having had a second jab and being fully protected.