Zimbabwe approves localised lockdowns, economy won’t be opened further

Zimbabwe has said it will start instituting localised lockdowns targeting hot spot areas.

Responding to questions from the media, acting Minister of Health and Child Care Prof Amon Murwira said that current lockdown restrictions would be tightened and pursued more vigilantly has Covid-19 cases and deaths continue to rise.

Murwira said that the movement between cities would remain the preserve of the government and only for those who only need to travel.

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With the private players requesting an opening up of intercity travel, this is a snub. Pursuant to that the government said it will not be opening up the economy further.

On the localised lockdowns, the government did not confirm whether this would mean lockdowns of whole cities or sections of them. There has been speculation that Harare and Bulawayo which have had surges in cases will have hard lockdown in the near future.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to give some clarity to all of this in the next few days.