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Mnangagwa extends level 2 lockdown by another 2 weeks
21 Sep 2021 at 20:56hrs | Views
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday extended by another two weeks an alert Level 2 lockdown even as he noted a sharp fall in new Covid-19 infections and deaths.
He said daily average infections and deaths since the last extension had fallen to 238 and four respectively, "an encouraging sign that the preventive measures that have been put in place… have been very effective."
He traced most of the recent outbreaks to recently re-opened schools, which he said had been brought under control "before they spilled into communities."
"In order to ensure that we continue along the path towards total containment of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have decided it prudent to extend the Level 2 lockdown measures announced a fortnight ago by a further two weeks," Mnangagwa said.
The situation "will be assessed thereafter to assess the progress we shall have made in order to move to a more relaxed level," he added.
Two weeks ago, Mnangagwa lifted a ban on inter-city travel, extended business working hours, shortened an overnight curfew and okayed public gatherings of up to 100 people, but nightclubs are still prohibited from opening.
The ministry of health says 2,949,025 people had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Monday, while 2,065,395 are fully vaccinated after taking their second dose. This translates to about 19.6 percent of Zimbabwe's 15 million people for the first dose, and 13.7 percent for the second dose.
He said daily average infections and deaths since the last extension had fallen to 238 and four respectively, "an encouraging sign that the preventive measures that have been put in place… have been very effective."
He traced most of the recent outbreaks to recently re-opened schools, which he said had been brought under control "before they spilled into communities."
"In order to ensure that we continue along the path towards total containment of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have decided it prudent to extend the Level 2 lockdown measures announced a fortnight ago by a further two weeks," Mnangagwa said.
The situation "will be assessed thereafter to assess the progress we shall have made in order to move to a more relaxed level," he added.
Two weeks ago, Mnangagwa lifted a ban on inter-city travel, extended business working hours, shortened an overnight curfew and okayed public gatherings of up to 100 people, but nightclubs are still prohibited from opening.
The ministry of health says 2,949,025 people had received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by Monday, while 2,065,395 are fully vaccinated after taking their second dose. This translates to about 19.6 percent of Zimbabwe's 15 million people for the first dose, and 13.7 percent for the second dose.
Source - zimlive
