HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe has issued a nationwide curfew, banning rallies and on Saturday ordered non-essential businesses to close for a month in an effort to curb a surge in coronavirus infections.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also health minister, said some of the stricter restrictions would take effect immediately. It includes a 6 to 6 o’clock curfew and a ban on traveling through the city. From Tuesday, non-essential businesses would also be suspended, he said.
“People need to stay at home, except to buy food and medicine or to transport sick family members,” Chiwenga said at a news conference.
The country recorded 1,342 cases of COVID-19 and 29 deaths in one week, the largest to date, he said.
“Only essential services should remain open, such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets, with only essential staff allowed to come to work,” Chiwenga said, adding that such services would reduce hours and be subject to the night clock.
Earlier on Saturday, government spokesman Nick Mangwana wrote on Twitter that “we are overwhelmed and overwhelmed by this virus”.
Chiwenga said air travel was still allowed, and that arriving and returning residents should present certificates showing that they are free of COVID-19.
Zimbabwe introduced a difficult exclusion for the first time in March, but gradually eased the restrictions. It recorded a total of 14,084 cases and 369 deaths.
Last week, the government postponed the reopening of schools scheduled for Monday due to a surge in coronavirus infections and a tropical storm that swept through the region.
(Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Frances Kerry)