People are now banned from entering the CBD

The secretary for information Nick Mangwana has announced that ordinary Zimbabweans are no longer permitted to get into the CBD with immediate effect. He said the decision had been made in an effort to control the spread of the deadly corona virus follow a recent spike in the number of recorded cases in the country.

According to his latest announcement only essential workers will be permitted to get into town with the rest of the population being advised to stay at home. In making the announcement, the minister said,”Yesterday, 133 positive cases were registered. There are some cases of deaths which are awaiting test results on whether Covid 19 was the cause”. The country has seen a multiple increase in the number of local transmissions as well as those from people returning from other countries. The most worrying factor is that South Africa was reported to have recorded the fourth highest number of cases in the world per day yesterday and this will ultimately have an effect on Zimbabwe.

Social and economic statistics have since been affected by the current lockdown and tightening restrictions is set to cause further damage. It is however also necessary to put measures in place to control the spread of the disease.

While some people had planned and organised a nation wide demonstration on 31 July, this has also been dealt a heavy blow. Several companies have been releasing statements on the viral spread of the virus at their offices including Cimas and PSMAS.

People have been encouraged to observe the necessary measures to prevent either spreading or contracting the virus such as wearing a mask, washing and sanitizing hands and maintaining social distance. Another disturbing trend however is that of returnees fleeing quarantine centres and exposing others to the virus. Recently, two men escaped from a quarantine centre in Beitbridge and infected 7 minor children with the virus