President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday extended the Level 2 COVID-19 lockdown by a further two weeks.
Speaking during a post-cabinet media briefing this evening, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa advised the public to continue observing World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 protocols. She said:
His Excellency the President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa has extended Level 2 Lockdown by a further 2 weeks. The public is advised to continue observing WHO and National COVID-19 Protocols of sanitizing, masking up, practising social distancing and observing curfew hours.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has given the green light for bars to reopen albeit only to fully vaccinated patrons. Said Mutsvangwa:
Cabinet notes, with concern, that the continued closure of licensed bars and nightclubs has caused not only a loss of income and unemployment but also resulted in the mushrooming of illegal outlets.
Cabinet, therefore, directed that all licensed bars be opened to fully vaccinated clients. Bar owners are also required to ensure that the World Health Organisation and national protocols and guidelines are enforced, failure of which their licences will be withdrawn. The bars are also required to adhere to curfew hours.
Regular bars were closed in March last year when the country entered its first lockdown in response to the coronavirus crisis.