Amon Murwira, the acting Health Minister, on Wednesday gazetted Statutory Instrument 174/20 under the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 14).
The SI legalises the amended lockdown regulations, which among other things, set a 6 PM to 6 AM countrywide curfew.
The SI says the “wearing a face mask” in a public place now means that wearers must “securely” cover their nose and mouth with the mask.
The law also says that those who fail to comply with the regulations face hefty penalties of up to $36 000 or a year in jail.
Supermarkets, food shops, fuel outlets, restaurants, and safari and hunting operations are among several activities that are now considered non-essential businesses that can operate only between 8 am and 3 pm.
The production, supply, delivery and distribution of food, fuel and coal is permitted during the curfew hours, so are mining and the operations of designated tobacco auction floors. These are all classified as essential services.
People are allowed to “break” curfew to buy medicine, move to and from work if they are employed in the essential services, seek medical attention, or go to the home of a relative who needs medical help.
Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga on Friday said members of the public can buy food from their nearest shopping centres and this should be done by selected family members to curtail public gatherings.
No intercity public transport and rural areas movement will be allowed to proceed beyond checkpoints and roadblocks, Matanga said in the statement.