Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Government has allowed registered bars to open to fully vaccinated citizens, while the current level 2 lockdown has been extended by 2 weeks as the country relaxes restriction measures.

Speaking at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Information, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said bar owners will be required to follow WHO and national guidelines, with non – compliance leading to withdrawal of licenses.

“Cabinet therefore directed that all licensed bars be opened to fully vaccinated clients. Bar owners are also required to ensure that the World Health Organisation and national protocols and guidelines are enforced, failure of which their licences will be withdrawn. The bars are also required to adhere to curfew hours, said Mutsvangwa.

The development comes at a time when there is a slow uptake of Covid-19 vaccines. So far 2 322 862 people have been fully vaccinated in a country where government has set a target to vaccinate 10 million people.

Minister Mutsvangwa revealed that the country has received 13 243 200 vaccine doses since the beginning of their roll out. The vaccine is enough to vaccinate over 6 million people with two doses.

Meanwhile, the current level 2 lockdown was extended further by 2 weeks. “His Excellency the President Cde E.D. Mnangangwa has extended Level 2 Lockdown by a further 2 weeks. The public is advised to continue observing WHO and National COVID-19 Protocols of sanitizing, masking up, practicing social distancing and observing curfew hours,” said Mutsvangwa.