Tag: LOCKDOWN

#JUSTIN: Lockdown Extended By Another Two Weeks

Michael Gwarisa

ACTING President, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has announced an extension to the country’s lockdown which was supposed to end on February 5 by another two weeks in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus. By Michael Gwarisa He said the move has been necessitated by the presence of new strains to the virus which spread faster and are more lethal than the first strain which was recorded in Wuhan, China. The level 4 lockdown that came into force on January 5, 2020 has stabilized our situation. In relative…

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Curfew Violators Will Be Arrested, Vehicles Impounded- ZRP

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned members of the public against breaking the curfew regulations owing to a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Staff Reporter In a statement, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they would not hesitate to throw offenders behind bars. ZRP warns members of the public that with effect from today that police officers will be out in full force to ensure compliance with the curfew order put in place by the government on 2nd January 2021. “The curfew runs from 18:00 hrs to…

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“Let’s Not Address Health Issues In Silos During Lockdown”

Michael Gwarisa

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Benard Madzima says the new level four lockdown presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to correct the mistakes of the first lockdown which saw a sizable number of people struggling to access essential healthcare services. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Madzima said even though HIV  is still a burden on the country’s health sector, it was critical to prioritise other issues such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), maternal health, access to contraceptives, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR),…

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#COVID-19: The Grinch Who Stole Our Christmas

Michael Gwarisa

BY definition, a Grinch is a grumpy person who spoils the pleasure of others or a party-popper. Most of you might have watched The Grinch movie by Jim Carrey or the 2018 animated version of The Grinch, a movie about a grumpy Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) who plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville, a fictional place in the film. By Michael Gwarisa To make sure the whole of Whoville doesn’t celebrate Christmas and all the joy it brings, the Grinch spent the entire Christmas eve night stealing all…

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#CancerTalkWithMichelle: Cancer Awareness In The Times Of A COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthtimes

THE world over, focus has shifted towards managing, treating and preventing COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 has literally overshadowed other ailments including Cancer, one of the leading causes of death in Zimbabwe which is currently killing more people than  HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria and COVID-19 combined. By Michelle Madzudzo However, a dearth of data, shortage of testing equipment, lack of proven treatments or vaccine  and the speed at which the coronavirus spreads has resulted in the virus being portrayed as a much bigger threat compared to all time ravenous cancers such as…

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Disabled Young People Struggle To Navigate SRH Social Spaces During Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG people with disabilities are finding it difficult to access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services during the prevailing lockdown period due to a myriad of factors, chief among them being failure to participate in social spaces where SRHR information is provided. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual meeting on ending teenage pregnancies which was hosted by Plan International Zimbabwe under the theme “Unraveling the thread of teenage pregnancies during COVID 19,” Social Worker with JF Kapnek, Adam Mukushi said the COVID-19 had presented numerous challenges for…

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#BREAKING: Zim Lockdown Restrictions Relaxed, Curfew Now Starts At 8 PM

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has revised the COVID-19 curfew as it moves to relax lockdown restrictions at the back of improved recoveries countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during post cabinet media briefing, Information publicity and broadcasting services minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said government had also moved to allow families to manage cases from home. In view of the surge in positive local cases, Cabinet approved Guidelines to help families manage COVID-19 cases at home. Furthermore, in order to curtail the spike in infections Zimbabwe requires a more robust testing regime. “Having noted…

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#JUSTIN: Don’t Use Lockdwon To Clampdown On Human Rights, United Nations Warns Zim Government

Healthtimes

THE United Human Rights , Office of the High Commissioner (UNOCHR) has warned the government of Zimbabwe against clamping down on human rights under guise of lockdown restrictions. HealthTimes In a statement, the United Nations Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,  Liz Throssell  said they were concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Among the latest incidents, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono…

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#JustIn: President Mnangagwa Announces New Strict Lockdown Regulations: Here Are The Takehome Messages

Healthtimes

Major points from President Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa lockdown measures 1. Non working people to stay at home 2. WEF tomorrow, business closes at 3pm 3. Security services to enforce dusk to dawn curfew 6am to 6pm 4. SME to operate 5. Food markets to remain open and maintain safe measures 6. Intercity transport remain banned 7. Public gatherings remain banned 8.Funeral gatherings remain curtailed 9. Anyone who infects others will be punished 10. President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to announce the easing of the said measures Ministry of Information, Publicity…

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Almost 10 million children may never return to school following Covid-19 lockdown- Save The Children Warns

Michael Gwarisa

DEEP budget cuts to education and rising poverty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could force at least 9.7 million children out of school forever by the end of this year, with millions more falling behind in learning, Save the Children warns in a new report launched today. Girls are likely to be much worse affected than boys, with many forced into early marriage. As the impacts of the recession triggered by COVID-19 hits families, many children may be forced out of school and into labour markets. In its report, Save…

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