HARARE - There is massive concern about Zimbabwe’s prolonged level four lockdown.
Zimbabwean church groups, public health activists and economists say it is plunging ordinary people into extreme poverty.
The country has been on a hard lockdown since June amid a third wave of COVID-19. This week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended it by a further two weeks.
Current Level 4 restrictions in Zimbabwe include a curfew from 6.30pm to 6am, the banning of inter-city travel, a reduction in business hours, and the closure of schools, land borders, beer halls, nightclubs and bars.
READ: Zimbabwe lockdown | Vaccinated congregants can attend church
However, some say it is time to relax the rules, because they are harming ordinary people
Economists say there should be a reopening of the economy while observing the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 protocols.
Public health activists say some people are so desperate they are ignoring the current restrictions anyway.
However, Zimbabwe government’s recently insisted lockdowns are best way to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Zimbabwe has seen a total of 122,000 coronavirus cases, with more than 4,000 deaths.
