Govt adds more places countrywide under localised lockdown

By Mutsa Makuvaza

GOVERNMENT has announced more places in Bulawayo, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo provinces that are classified as Covid-19 hotspots and therefore have been placed under intense localised lockdown.

This follows a spike in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks, with 13 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours alone as the feared third wave effectively takes grip.

In a statement after today’s Cabinet Ministers meeting, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet approved localised lockdown in the following Covid19 hotspot areas;

• 1.Mashonaland West – Karoi, Makonde, Chinhoyi, Mhangura, Chidamwoyo, Magunje, Chirundu;
• 2.Bulawayo – Nkukumane, Emakhandeni & Northern Suburbs;
• 3.Mashonaland Central -Mount Darwin;
• 4.Masvingo – Chiredzi

Cabinet also approved that the reopening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days.

Government will be monitoring the situation and a review would be made after two weeks. This has been necessitated by local and regional surge of Covid-19 cases

In a statement on social media, Government spokesperson Nick Ndabaningi Mangwana comfirmed that the schools of schools had been shelved at least for the next fortnight. A decision will be made after reviewing the situation over the next two weeks, he said.

“The nation is informed that Cabinet has approved that the re-opening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Government will be monitoring the situation and and a review will be made after 2 weeks,” said Mangwana. – Zimbabwe Voice ■