Zimbabwe has moved to ease some of its Covid-19 restrictions by extending business hours and allowing immigrants who test negative on PCR tests to quarantine at home.

Government says it is also considering moving the curfew start time from 6pm to 8pm.

Said Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa in a post-Cabinet update:

“Having noted the plight of the public and the need to lessen the risk of contracting Covid-19, Cabinet directed as follows: (a) that the business hours which were ending at 15:00 hours be revisited to end at 1630 hours and the curfew to be extended to 2000 hours; (b) that Public transport drivers undergo regular COVID-19 PCR tests and (c) that public transport buses be allowed a dedicated lane at roadblocks to expedite their passage.

“Cabinet has further directed that immigrants who are PCR negative on arrival will no longer be detained but be put on home quarantine and reviews will be conducted by the Rapid Response Teams in that locality. Those who test positive on arrival will be placed in isolation.”

Latest numbers place Zimbabwe’s confirmed cases at 5 308.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases has risen by 30% from the previously reported 4 075 to 5 308 positive cases.

Recoveries increased by 279% from 1016 to 3 848.

But the number of deaths has risen by 93% from 70 to 135.