HARARE, (The Southern African Times) – Many Zimbabweans are now taking a more relaxed approach towards the prevention of COVID-19 infections, judging by their behavior in many public places.
The government in September removed the country from Level 4 lockdown measures which are the most stringent to Level 2 after noting that containment measures were working to satisfaction and that the levels of infections had gone down considerably.
This meant that schools, colleges, bars and other public places which had hitherto been closed could be reopened.
The informal sector, which had been the hardest hit by the lockdown, also reopened with the government insisting on the Level 2 protocols.
Basically, the current measures still insist on social distancing, adherence to a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, wearing of face masks, sanitization of hands upon entering premises and observance of general hygiene among the populace.
Church services, which had also been banned, were also allowed to resume provided they stuck to the COVID-19 prevention protocols, including that congregants should be fully vaccinated.
Sports activities for fully vaccinated people are also now allowed.
However, many people seem to have become complacent and totally abandoned the protocols, going about with their daily chores as if there is no pandemic.
The surge for vaccinations which was witnessed at the height of the third wave to hit the county mid-year has since fizzled out and some people are no longer considering taking the vaccine.
Initially, only those aged 18 years and above had been targeted for vaccination, but the government recently reduced the age limit to 16 years.
Some major retail shops, which used to insist on social distancing, are no longer announcing such measures on their public address systems, while some shoppers who do not wear their masks properly are not being ordered to do so.
Several shopping centers are now usually packed, especially during weekends when people go there to socialize.
Health expert Solwayo Ngwenya recently urged people to remain vigilant since more waves were possible.
“Coronavirus: please kindly remember that the virus can enter your body via your eyes and mouth. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea. That is why you must keep sanitizing, and wearing masks. As mass complacency sets in, the virus will spread exponentially again in further waves,” he said on Twitter.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa on Thursday called on Zimbabweans not to lose their guard against the pandemic.
The Herald newspaper reported Friday that Mutsvangwa told the Senate that while the numbers of the infected were going down, there was need to remain cautious.
“The government has procured nearly 20 million vaccines, so we should encourage more people to get vaccinated in our communities. We should continue to encourage our communities to continue wearing masks, washing hands and other social distancing measures,” she said during a Question and Answer session.
She added that the recent commissioning of an oxygen plant in Mutare, Manicaland Province, would also go a long way in assisting the country treat those who are infected with the virus.
Mutsvangwa added that the government was capacitating health centers across the country to handle COVID-19 cases.
