Zimbabwe extends COVID-19 lockdown for another 14 days

Zimbabwe has extended its nationwide lockdown for another 14 days as the country battles to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the decision in a televised address to the nation.

Mnangagwa also updated the country on the progress made during the 21-day lockdown, which had been set to expire.

“The nationwide lockdown, which would have expired at midnight, has been extended by another two weeks to May 3, 2020,” he said in a BBC report.

Zimbabwe has recorded 25 confirmed cases of the coronavirus from both local and imported transmissions.

“This presents a growing threat for our country as we must accommodate our citizens,”President Mnangagwa said.

President Mnangagwa said he was following the guidelines set by the WHO, which has warned countries against lifting restrictions at a time when they are facing a sharp rise in infections.

Zimbabwe has meanwhile eased lockdown restrictions for the manufacturing and mining sectors to avoid a total economic collapse.

“Workers at mining companies will be screened and tested as well as continue staying within the parameters of their mines until the lockdown is over,” President Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe has tested more than 2,000 people for the virus and is targeting to reach 40,000 by the end of the month. A total of 25 people have tested positive so far and three have died while two have recovered.