Police in Zimbabwe have reportedly arrested over 10 000 people in recent days, as the government enforces a tighter lockdown to curb the third wave of coronavirus.
Cape Town – Police in Zimbabwe have reportedly arrested over 10 000 people in recent days, as the government enforces a tighter lockdown to curb the third wave of coronavirus.
A report by The Sunday Mail said the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was arresting an average of 3 000 people daily for failing to observe the Covid-19 related protocols.
Dozens were arrested in central Harare on Friday night for gathering at nightclubs or beer halls, police said.
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“For the sake of public health and human security and in line with their mandates, the security forces will ensure strict adherence to the measures,” the report quoted Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe as saying.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week announced new measures to curb the surge in coronavirus infections. The new lockdown included an 18:30 to 06:00 curfew, a ban on intercity travel, a reduction in business hours, banning of all social gatherings except funerals, and the closure of beer halls, nightclubs and bars.
Full statement on the Level 4 Covid19 Lockdown #Zimbabwe#communitydiaries pic.twitter.com/nOZBFSDGET
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According to Reuters, the measures would be in effect for two weeks, after which they would be reviewed.
As of Friday, July 02, the country had recorded 52 663 cumulative cases of the coronavirus, including 39 568 recoveries and 1 841 deaths.
A total of 788 004 people have been inoculated and the government said it was expecting 2.5 million more vaccines from China to help boost its vaccination drive.
Zimbabwe has been getting most of its vaccines from China which has meant speedy delivery, EWN reported.
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Composed by Betha Madhomu
