Zimbabwe was in partial lockdown yesterday, with the formal
sector mainly taking heed of President Mnangagwa’s call to stay at home, among
other measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Government called on companies to reduce their workforce
and practise social distancing. Harare City Centre was low on both human and
vehicular traffic.
The morning rush hour was largely trafficable, an
indication that some motorists had stayed home. The city centre also had many
empty parking bays.
Popular fast food outlets prioritised social distancing
with some including Chicken Slice only serving takeaways.
Harare City Council said it had decongested its
workstations with effect from yesterday.
Critical service delivery employees are the only ones
reporting for duty.
“Some management staffers will work from home. Support
staff on special leave. District offices remain open with minimum staff,” said
the City of Harare in a statement.
To promote social distancing, Zupco was only carrying
seated passengers.
Other buses were also not accepting standing passengers.
Major supermarkets such as OK and TM had average human traffic and were
sanitising shoppers at entry points.
However, banks were battling to contain long queues of
clients wanting to withdraw money.
Most flea markets had less human traffic. Siyaso and Mupedzanhamo in Mbare had fewer people than
usual. Mbare Musika was the most crowded in Harare.
It was a hive of activity at Makombe Building, the Passport
Office, with many people queueing to top up for passports they applied late
last year while others filed to collect passports.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) heeded the call by
suspending all electoral activities.
In a statement, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba
yesterday said the suspension affects the conduct of a by-election that was due
to be held in Ward 16 of Chiredzi Rural District Council on April 4.
New dates for the conduct of any by-election will be
notified at the appropriate time.
In Masvingo most shops and businesses, including financial
institutions and other big firms, heeded the call for a partial lockdown to
combat the spread of coronavirus.
The fewer shops and restaurants that were open, sanitised
customers. In Bindura, supermarkets, banks and food outlets were open
but sanitised people and allowed them entry in small numbers.
However, vendors and ordinary people were going about their
businesses.
In Kariba, restaurants, shops and other public places took
heed of the order to maintain social distance and restrict unnecessary
movements. In Beitbridge people and businesses started complying with the
precautionary measures announced by the Government.
Shops in the town have streamlined staff and operations.
Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment