The Zimbabwe Republic Police has revealed that they have arrested 1 633 people throughout the country for various covid-19 related offences, Great Dyke News 24 reports.
Zimbabwe recorded 95 new local cases yesterday to bring the total number of cases to 11 007. 85 new recoveries were recorded and the national recovery rate is now at 83,1%. 1 new death was recorded in Harare and the death toll is now at 304 deaths.
An analysis of official COVID-19 data shows that new cases have been rising since November and are now averaging 100 cases daily, compared to the previous two months when infections stood at about 25 a day.
Speaking to Great Dyke News 24, police spokesperson Assistant Commisioner Paul Nyathi, said most of the people arrested include individuals who are not wearing masks and those found at large gatherings among those violating the covid-19 regulations. He denied that police have relaxed in enforcing the regulations.
“Only yesterday that is the 9th of December 2020 we arrested 1 633 people throughout the whole country for various covid-19 related offences. So the police is not slackened in terms of enforcing covid-19 regulations.
“What is apparent is the issue of complacency has to be dealt with by all stakeholders not necessarily police alone. There are people who are reluctant to wear face masks. There are people who are taking the issue of Covid -19 for granted, so we all need to play ball, he said.
The government has reintroduced restrictions on gatherings and ordered strict adherence to measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic amid concerns over rising COVID-19 infections in the country.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi urged Zimbabweans to adapt to the new normal adding that they should avoid large gatherings during the festive season.
“People should adapt to the new normal and take the issue of covid-19 seriously. Let’s not grandstand because covid-19 is real and it’s affecting everyone across the board. Let’s minimize the issue of gathering, the issue of super spreader events. Let’s be careful of those super spreader events,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Africa has officially entered a second wave as the number of new infections per day exceeds 6,000, the health minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday, raising concerns that restrictions to limit the spread of the virus could be tightened.
South Africa’s COVID-19 infections have increased to 828 598 with 6 709 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. 135 more people have died of the virus, taking the country’s death toll to 22 574.
