COVID-19: Zimbabwe hardens lockdown as virus cases spike

In order to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, Zimbabwean authorities have tightened restrictions after the recording spike in cases of the virus.

Zimbabwe's COVID-19 cases, as of early May, has risen from 34 to 203 from early May, with most of the cases being citizens returning from abroad.

The previous lockdown which started on March 30 was relaxed last month, allowing large corporations to open but under strict safety conditions for staff and customers.

Africa News reported that security forces cleared Harare’s city centre as they turned back commuters and motorists on Tuesday.

“They are searching the cars and if you do not have a permit or letter you are not allowed to pass. So it’s now difficult to give a lift to someone who is not in possession of a letter’‘, Tawanda Chinohamba, a cab driver said.

They are searching the cars and if you do not have a permit or letter you are not allowed to pass.

In a statement, the police said only essential services workers are allowed outdoors, while the rest of the population must stay home.

Government spokesman, Nick Mangwana said there was nothing unusual about the tightened restrictions.

As at the time of this report, at least four fatalities have been recorded as a result of the deadly respiratory illness, according to Worldometers.

There are now 29 recoveries and a total of 173 active cases of COVID-19 on the southern African country.

AFP