Zimbabwe goes into lockdown, borders closed

Posted by Imogen Searra on 4 January 2021

Zimbabwe’s government placed the country into a lockdown on January 2.

The Southern African country had 15 265 confirmed cases, including 11 574 recoveries and 380 deaths as of January 3 2021.

The International Cross-Border Traders Association announced a border update stating: ‘No Work Permit No Exit Out Of Zimbabwe, 4 January 2021,’ on Facebook.

Only Work/Business/Residence/Study permit holders and foreigners allowed to move out of Zimbabwe.

Posted by International Cross-Border Traders Association on Sunday, 3 January 2021

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care announced a number of new lockdown measures, in light of increasing COVID-19 cases in the country over the festive season.

The strict lockdown regulations include:

Gatherings are reduced to not more than 30 people at all funerals. All other gatherings at weddings, churches, bars, bottle stores, gymnasiums, restaurants etc are banned for 30 days.
The existing covid 19 preventive health measures will be strictly enforced that is to say the correct wearing of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitization and temperature checks will be strictly enforced and offenders will be prosecuted.
Only essential services are to remain open such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets, with only essential staff allowed to come to work. These services can only open at 8 am and must close at 3pm and will be subject to a curfew that will start at 6pm and end at 6am.

Of the other commercial services only Part 4 lockdown order services such as mining, manufacturing and agriculture will operate as before. Other commercial services specified on Part 5 of the lockdown order that is to say all formal businesses and registered informal traders are suspended from Tuesday 5 January 2021 for 30 days.

Interprovincial and inter City transport services are restricted only to essential services and Part 4 commercial services.

People must stay at home save for buying food and medicines or transporting sick relatives. Other exceptions are as specified in the lockdown order.

As for schooling only examination classes are to open now.

Cross border traders are stopped forthwith save for commercial and transit cargo related to essential and critical services.

Air transportation remains unhindered and will continue as before with arrivals and returning residents being required to present Covid 19 free certificates. As for land access only returning residents and essential service drivers will be admitted subject to presentation of Covid 19 free certificates. These certificates must have been issued at least 48 hours before departure.

Restaurants, bottle stores and bars are closed for 30 days except for bars and restaurants serving hotel residents. Also, tourist facilities and national parks will operate as before subject to the usual health precautions.

COVID-19 update: As at 03 January 2021, Zimbabwe had 15 265 confirmed cases, including 11 574 recoveries and 380 deaths. pic.twitter.com/wBjmKzLmEG

— Ministry of HealthZW (@MoHCCZim) January 3, 2021