By Edward Makuzva
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Government has extended the operation of all businesses to 4:30 pm after the national address required business to close shops by 3:00pm.
This was Reviewed by Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa during the post cabinet media briefing in the capital.
Senator Mutsvangwa added that the curfew now starts at 8:00pm to 6:00am and this was implemented when Cabinet held its first virtual meeting so as to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in the august house.
The Information Minister said they revised the working hours.
“Having noted the plight of the public and the need to lessen the risk of contracting COVID-19, Cabinet directed as follows: (a) that the business hours which were ending at 15:00 hours be revisited to end at 1630 hours and the curfew to be extended to 2000 hours; (b) that Public transport drivers undergo regular COVID-19 PCR tests and (c) that public transport buses be allowed a dedicated lane at roadblocks to expedite their passage,” Senator Mutsvangwa explained.
The move comes at a time that public transport commuters were reporting late for work due to the delays encountered at the roadblocks following resultant congestion.
She said Cabinet has further directed that immigrants who are PCR negative on arrival will no longer be detained but be put on home quarantine and reviews will be conducted by the Rapid Response Teams in that locality.
She added those who test positive on arrival will be placed in isolation centres.
The revisions come at a time the nation’s recovery rate is standing at 72 percent.
Senator Mutsvangwa highlighted that Cabinet assures members of the public, that measures are being put in place to the health workers who return to work, as the success of implementing the COVID-19 response is hinges on the availability of health staff. Acquisition of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) for health workers and front liners is being prioritized.
“In view of the surge in positive local cases, Cabinet approved Guidelines to help families manage COVID-19 cases at home.
“Furthermore, in order to curtail the spike in infections Zimbabwe requires a more robust testing regime. In this regard, Cabinet directed that the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Innovation Science and Technology Development, through the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), works on the production of PCR Primers and Viral Transport media”, said the Information Minister
She said in order to strengthen the National COVID-19 response, the following measures will be taken (a) a Technical Steering Committee with experts from all the sectors involved in the response will henceforth be constituted and have clearly defined terms of reference; (b) the COVID-19 response is to be merged into a single response plan comprising the Command Centre, Office of the COVID-19 Chief Coordinator and Ministry of Health and Child Care.
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