(Last Updated on January 15, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga has said there might be no need to extend the current level four lockdown beyond it’s thirty-day period if citizens actively cooperate and the country manages to tame the current progression of the pandemic.
On 3 January, Chiwenga in his capacity as the Health Minister announced that the country will be on a 30- day level four National Lockdown due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases witnessed especially during the festive season.
“There might not be any need of extending the 30-day National Lockdown if the progression of the pandemic is tamed. However, let me warn my fellow countrymen that current statistics is indicating a marginal increase in new cases.
“The total Confirmed Cases continued to mount. The prevailing situation is posing a grave threat to public health as denoted by a summary of figures contained in the table,” said Chiwenga.
He also urged citizens to be responsible and adhere to the set regulations.
“Our citizens should not slacken. We should continue to observe guidelines of wearing masks, observing social distance and sanitization,” he added.
Chiwenga said while these lockdown measures might be hurting ordinary citizens, there might be necessary if some citizens continued to behave irresponsibly.
“I am aware that lockdown measures do hurt the socio-economic livelihoods, freedoms, rights and liberties of individuals. Nevertheless, they may be necessary if some of our citizens display nonchalant behaviour.
“Honestly, would you require Security Forces to persuade you to conform to some of these basic guidelines? We are not interested in arresting our people, therefore I urge you to reawaken internal discipline,” he said.
The country has continued to witness a surge in the number of positive cases and fatalities leading to intensified enforcement of the lockdown measures by the law enforcement agencies.