The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it is taking stern measures against people who default in wearing masks and other lockdown regulations
The police said there is a possibility of more police roadblocks to force citizens to wear masks and other COVID-19 measures.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa eased lockdown restrictions two weeks ago after COVID-19 cases reduced as the government initiated the vaccination process.
However, according to the police, more people have become reluctant in abiding to set rules with most people, walking without masks.
“We have observed that some people are not wearing face masks and some people are just moving around even after 10 pm for no reasons. The ZRP will be arresting those who flout lockdown regulations.
“We had restricted our patrols and checkpoints to curfew hours, but if things remain like this, yes there is a possibility that we could increase our checkpoints again,” said ZRP Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
He further stated that: “People need to be responsible, I think that should be a personal choice for the sake of one’s own health.”
Zimbabwe has recorded 36 471 confirmed cases, including 34 011 recoveries and 1 501 deaths while 36 359 front line workers have been vaccinated.
There are fears that the country might be hit by a third wave of the COVID-19 due to complacency in sticking to regulations.
Chief Co-ordinator of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva said there is a possibility of the third wave coming.
“As Government, we are always concerned when people get complacent because that is what led us to the second wave,” Dr Mahomva said.
“But as our main defence line, now that we have the vaccine, we are speeding up the programme to ensure that we immunise our target number as a way of minimising further infections.
“We are beefing up our teams from the national level to provincial so that more and more people get vaccinated and are educated about the safety of the vaccine.
“As a way of speeding up the process, we have also allowed the private sector to import the vaccine through the Government.”
