As of now, September 2021, the cases have reportedly decreased in Zimbabwe and as a result lockdown measures have been relaxed. We have moved from the more stringent Level 4 lockdown to Level 2.

The Level 2 restrictions are as follows:

• Zimbabwe now on level 2 lockdown
• Gatherings limited to a 100 people
• Business operations time now 0800 to 1900 hours
• Curfew is now from 0200 to 0500
• Beer outlets at nightclubs to remain closed
• Intercity transport now allowed

It is not yet clear whether some pre-requirements like the need to be vaccinated in order to be eligible for church services will still be applicable.

Watch the full statement below:

More to follow on these restrictions.

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Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa announced the added restriction stating that all movement is banned unless one has an exemption letter. This letter will be made available to workers in critical sectors of the economy. This follows the same pattern as that of the first lockdown in 2020. The use of exemption letters begins with immediate effect.

This decision has been influenced by the rise of Covid-19 cases within the country. They are said to have increased 107%. Mutsvangwa said the hardest-hit provinces include Mashonaland West which recorded 2 114 active cases Monday, Mashonaland Central (2 957); Harare Metropolitan (1 041) Mashonaland East (847), and Midlands (848).

What are your thoughts?

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The University was forced to suspend face to face lectures after 54 individuals tested positive for Covid-19. These individuals are mainly students at the University.

Acting Midlands provincial medical director, Dr Reginald Mhene confirmed these cases. He further stated that tests and contact tracing is still ongoing. However, to curb the spread of the virus, the university will only hold online lectures. The suspension of face to face lectures was applied with immediate effect starting on 30 June 2021. These changes apply to both the Zvishavane Campus and the main Gweru Campus.

This developments comes at a time when the government has also announced a new set of Level 4 lockdown restrictions. The restrictions were also applied with immediate effect starting on 30 June 2021.

What are your thoughts?

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Further restrictive measures were stated by the President yesterday and apply with immediate effect. They are as follows:

• Intercity movement suspended
• Business to open from 08.00hrs to 15.30hrs
• Curfew remains 18.30hrs to 06.00hrs
• Commercial transport to remain operational

View the full statement below:

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In sight of the third wave of the corona virus that has shaken other countries, Zimbabwe is taking necessary measures to prevent experiencing similar effects. Some of the restrictions announced by the Vice President include the shutting down of social gatherings. Bars and nightclubs remain closed during this new lockdown period.

Zimbabwe’s police will be working to enforce these laws and have issued out an official statement sharing that message. They emphasised that anyone seen drinking in their own cars will be dealt with accordingly.

View the official statement below:

Some Zimbabweans expressed dissatisfaction especially since these new regulations will be enforced as such whilst the same police even encourage the use of ZUPCO buses which carry up to 70 people.

What are your thoughts?

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MEASURES TO CURB THE SURGE OF COVID-19

1. Fellow Zimbabweans, the country has done very well in terms of curbing the spread of Covid 19. In addition our vaccination against Covid 19 is going on very well. The country is however experiencing a surge in cases. The last 7 seven days have seen 596 new cases and 26 deaths as compared to the same period in May 2021 where we had 132 new cases and 6 deaths. This is a more than 4 fold increase in new cases and deaths. Sadly it has been noted that there has been a general complacency in adhering to the preventative measures both in the communities and work places. We are also witnessing a sharp increase in cases and deaths globally and in the SADC region. In order to curb this surge in cases and deaths in Zimbabwe and prevent a potential 3rd wave, the following measures will be implemented effective Monday 14 June 2021.

2. There will be stricter enforcement of the following preventive measures.
– mandatory wearing of masks in public places.
– maintaining social and physical distancing
– washing or sanitising your hands frequently

3) Government will strengthen testing and contact tracing as well as quarantining contacts and isolating confirmed cases.

4) Regarding public transport, the operators are to adhere to recommended passenger numbers. They should ensure that all passengers are wearing their face masks properly. On boarding they must have their temperature checked and their hands sanitized. Public transport operators shall disinfect their vehicles after every trip.

5) With regards to gatherings, the following measures are to be implemented.
All gatherings except funerals are banned. These gatherings include but are not limited to weddings, church gatherings, music festivals and sports activities.
Funerals shall be limited to 30 people. All Covid 19 funerals will be supervised by health personnel.

All workshops and meetings are to be held virtually. In addition all offices, both government and private, are to decongest by 50% (except for offices connected with essential services)

6) With regards to retail businesses and shops, their operating hours shall be from 0800 hours to 1800 hours. It is expected that the operators ensure that there is strict adherence to preventive measures such as proper wearing of face masks, sanitizing and temperature checks of clients. They should also ensure that they limit the number of clients in their shops to maintain physical distancing.

Beer halls and night clubs will remain closed whilst bottle stores will operate from 1000 hours – 1600 hours. Operators should ensure that there is no drinking in and around their premises. Failure to adhere to these measures will result in withdrawal of business licenses.

Hotel and lodge bars and restaurants are open to their residents up to 2200 hours. All other restaurants and fast foods outlets will serve takeaways only.

7) With regards to people’s market places such as but not limited to Mbare, Renkin, Mupedzanhamo, Sakubva, Machipisa and others, they shall close at 1800 hours. The operators shall ensure strict adherence to preventive measures such as proper wearing of face masks, sanitizing, social distancing and temperature checks of their clients. Non-compliance will result in closure of that market.

Our health inspectors and other law enforcement agents will move around and monitor compliance to these measures. Failure to adhere to these measures will result in withdrawal of the business licenses.

8) With regards to tobacco auction floors, the owners must ensure strict adherence to preventive measures such as proper wearing of face masks, temperature checks and sanitizing of clients and maintaining physical distancing. Each consignment of tobacco bales to be accompanied by at most 2 people into the auction floor. Targeted vaccination of tobacco farmers and their workers will be available.
Tobacco auction floor employees are required to have a negative Covid 19 PCR or rapid antigen test which will be valid for 2 weeks. Vending within and around the tobacco floors is prohibited.

Our health inspectors and other law enforcement agenties shall be monitoring for compliance. Failure to adhere to these measures will result in closure of that particular auction floor.

9) At all ports of entry there shall be strict enforcement of the 48 hour old PCR negative certificate requirement and mandatory testing of all travelers from hot spots at their expense regardless of their negative PCR certificates.

There shall be quarantining of those coming from hot spots in designated quarantine centres at their own expense. Those who present with fake Covid 19 negative certificates shall be arrested and prosecuted.

10) With regards to management of local hot spots, the following measures shall be implemented
a) There will be daily national updates of hot spots as part of the daily Covid 19 situational report
b) The public is being advised not to travel to these hot spots areas
c) There will be increased testing and contact tracing within the hot spot areas.
d) Vaccinations and health education will be intensified in the hot spots areas.
e) If the above measures fail to control the hot spot areas, targeted lockdowns will be effected in those areas.

Finally, I want to remind everyone to properly wear your face mask, sanitise, maintain physical and social distancing, and get vaccinated.

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This announcement came as a relief for athletes like soccer players who haven’t played since the lockdown of March 2020 began. Speaking on this Mangwana said :

“all sporting activities will now resume and observe standard operating procedures”

The Sports and Recreation Commission(SRC), which is responsible for regulating sporting activities in Zimbabwe has mentioned that although various athletes are ecstatic about this announcement, they still have to wait for the final go ahead.

The SRC had this to say:

“The actual resumption of these sports activities is subject to the relevant National Sport Associations (NSA’s) being notified in writing by the Sports and Recreation Commission that they have satisfied the set criteria for resumption,

The medium and high-risk sport codes shall resume only after they have demonstrated their ability to meet the set standard operating procedures and protocols for the containment of Covid-19 which were communicated on Monday 15th March”

Final announcements are still to be made regarding which sports can resume activity.

The post Sports to resume, says Government appeared first on Provoker Magazine.

The lockdown periods instigated by Covid-19 have lead to the discovery and fostering of such talents. What does all that have to do with the late President Robert Gabriel Mugabe?

Watch the video below to see the connection between this talented Zimbabwean young man, Mugabe, and the Covid 19 pandemic.

http://https://www.instagram.com/p/CLm9R4HjRjm/

Personally, I would cash in on this talent.

How about you? What do you think of this video?

Let us know in the comments below.

The post VIRAL VIDEO: Mugabe speaks on Covid-19 situation. appeared first on Provoker Magazine.

The following facts are being taken into consideration before the decision can be made:

1. The real estate industry contributes substantially to the fiscal through tax heads such as capital gains, value-added tax, income tax, pay-as-you-earn, and property tax.
2. This industry houses all essential services, therefore it is essential for them to continue operating to provide needed infrastructural support to these services.
3. Most long term funding needed for projects that facilitate development and economic growth are sourced from the real estate industry. In essence, shutting down this industry for a prolonged period would stifle the economy in the long run.

This move is sure to benefit the approximately 100 000 people employed in this sector along with their families.

Alexander Millin explained why the sector deserved to be classified as an essential service provider when he wrote;

“Essentially, the sector is an integral part of essential services such as finance, health, mining; agriculture, airlines; hospitality and ICTs, which function within a build environment supported by the real estate sector”

Despite the seeming economic benefits that come from opening up the Real Estate industry to continue operating during this lockdown, not everyone is pleased. Some citizens have questioned who these essential services are essential to, especially since a growing number of families are plummeting below the poverty line as a result of  a lack of income caused by lockdown regulations.

As if to echo the old adage “strong families build strong nations”, others have remarked that the term essential service should imply services necessary for one to survive. If the greater majority can provide for their families doesn’t that reflect well on the economy of the country?

To many, it seems as though the measures being taken, though protecting the people from the Corona scourge, are hurting people’s livelihoods even more.

What is your opinion on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below.

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