The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday announced the extension of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in the country for another two weeks, reported CGTN Africa.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa gave the update to journalists after a Cabinet meeting in Harare. Zimbabwe has seen a sharp decline in coronavirus infection numbers recently, with the country’s recovery rate now at 94 percent.
Mutsvangwa announced that Zimbabwe will remain under level 2 lockdown for another two weeks. This means that curfew and business operating hours will remain unchanged for the next 14 days.
The government has now allowed licensed bars to re-open to fully vaccinated patrons, but with all COVID-19 protocols and guidelines enforced.
“All licensed bars can now open to fully vaccinated clients. Bar owners are required to ensure that Covid-19 protocols and guidelines are enforced, failure of which licenses will be withdrawn,” the Zimbabwean minister said.
He warned bars would have their licenses withdrawn if they fail to comply with the guidelines, adding that bars are also required to adhere to curfew hours.
The bars and pubs had remained closed since June, despite some relaxation of the COVID-19 lockdown early last month.
The Zimbabwean government’s decision to finally allow licensed bars and pubs to open and operate will be welcomed by many who have been begging the government for such a move.
Mutsvangwa said the government will strengthen the implementation of all public health and social measures considering a potential fourth wave.
According to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health, about 3,117,895 people had taken the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 2,322,862 people were fully vaccinated as of Monday.
The government has plans to inoculate at least 60 percent of the country’s some 14 million citizens to achieve herd immunity by year-end. Currently, only 15 percent of the country’s 15 million people have been vaccinated so far.
