Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday announced the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country has been extended by two more weeks, reported Reuters.
He also announced a $720 million stimulus package for distressed companies, a majority of which will be allowed to resume work starting Monday. He said the stimulus package which is just more than a quarter of this year’s national budget, would also benefit smaller businesses which are hardest hit by the lockdown.
While addressing reporters at State House on Friday afternoon, President Mnangagwa said that in extending and relaxing the national lockdown that was initially introduced on March 30 this year, the government seeks to stop the spread of coronavirus, save people’s lives while at the same time saving the national economy.
Mangwana said during the extended lockdown, everyone must be required to wear a mask in public places. Informal markets on which more than 80% of Zimbabweans depend to earn their living will remain closed, while big businesses will reopen under supervision.
Any kind of public gatherings of more than 50 people and the use of public taxis remain suspended, while schools will remain closed.
Zimbabwe has recorded 40 confirmed cases, including five recoveries and four deaths. According to Health Minister, Obediah Moyo, a total of 8,314 tests have been conducted in the country so far.
The Zimbabwe president said the government will also introduce a food grant of ZW$2.4 billion for the rest of the year. Around ZW$500 million will be set aside to support the tourism sector, ZW$1 billion for mining and ZW$3 billion for manufacturing.
Mnangagwa, however, did not reveal how the package would be funded.
“The package is proportionate to the disruption the virus has caused to the national economy,” he said.
He also added that health workers would not be taxed for the next six months to boost their earnings.
