INTRODUCTION
This article provides a brief outline of the various statutory instruments that have been passed in Zimbabwe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 76 OF 2020
Title: Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Rural and Urban Areas of Zimbabwe) (COVID-19) Notice, 2020.
Date of Publication: 23rd March 2020.
Notes:
- The statutory instrument declared of a state of disaster in all urban and rural areas in Zimbabwe following declaration by the World Health Organisation of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 77 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations, 2020.
Date of Publication: 23rd March 2020.
Notes:
- The instrument declared COVID-19 to be a formidable epidemic disease.
- All gatherings were prohibited.
- It gave enforcement officers the power to order anyone suspected to be infected with COVID-19 to undergo medical examination among other orders.
- That the minister of health may also give orders in response to the disease which orders will be published in the Gazette.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 83 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020
Date of Publication: 28th March 2020
Notes:
- Provided for the national lockdown (Stage 4 lockdown) which prohibited unnecessary movement save for essential services.
- The lockdown under this instrument started from the 30th of March 2020 to the 19th of April 2020.
- It prohibited the hoarding of medical supplies needed to combat the COVID-19.
- Local authorities were ordered to make land or premises available for isolation and quarantine of all COVID-19 suspects.
- Provided for penalties in connection with false reporting during the national lockdown.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 92 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (Standards for Personal Protective Apparel, Materials and Equipment) Regulations, 2020
Date of Publication: 19th of April 2020
Notes:
- Regulations apply to the standards required for the manufacture, sale and other disposals of apparel, materials and equipment intended to be worn or used as protection against any formidable infectious disease by different categories of persons in their interaction with members of the public.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 93 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 3)
Date of Publication: 19 April 2020
Notes:
- Extended the lockdown from 30th of March 2020 to the 3rd of May 2020.
- The initial lockdown was from 30th of March 2020 to the 19th of April 2020.
- Prohibited the export of supplies needed to combat COVID-19 unless if there is proof that such supplies are in excess.
- Prescribed measures to be undertaken by cargo aircraft and drivers of goods vehicles in transit or cross-border vehicles engaged in essential services.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 94 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 4)
Date of Publication: 21st April 2020
Notes:
- Provided for the relaxation of the lockdown (Stage 3 Lockdown).
- Decentralised tobacco auction floors.
- Provided that effective, 20 April 2020 employees of manufacturers, persons in the mining sector and buyers and sellers of designated tobacco auction floors were essential services.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 96 OF 2020
Title: Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Deferral of Rent and Mortgage Payments During National Lockdown) Regulations, 2020
Date of Publication: 29 April 2020
Notes:
- Prohibition of the eviction or ejectment from the land or premises constituting the rented accommodation during the period of the lockdown.
- Mortgagors were granted a deferral of the obligation to make mortgage payments.
- Provided that tenants may defer their rental payments and in which case no interests will be levied because of such deferment.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 97 OF 2020
Title: Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Deferral of Rent and Mortgage Payments During National Lockdown) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 1).
Date of Publication: 2 May 2020
Notes:
- Provides for penalties if a person causes or forces or attempts to cause or force the eviction of any protected tenant or protected mortgagor for asserting or exercising any of his or her rights under these regulations.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 99 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 5).
Date of Publication: 2 May 2020
Notes:
- Provided for further the relaxation of the lockdown (Stage 2 Lockdown).
- Businesses in the formal commercial and industrial sectors of the economy designated as essential service.
- Provided for mandatory testing of employees on the resumption of business operations after the lockdown.
- Defines the businesses in the formal commercial and industrial sectors and allowed such businesses to operate between 0800 hours and 1500 hours.
- Also provides for measures to be undertaken by persons when boarding public transportation.
- Extended the lockdown period to the 17th of May 2020 and buttressed the prohibition of gatherings.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 102 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 7)
Date of Publication: 6 May 2020
Notes:
- Repeals certain sections in STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 99 OF 2020
- Provides for the mandatory testing of employees within 14 days of resuming operations under stage 2 lockdown.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 103 OF 2020
Title: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 3)
Date of Publication: 6 May 2020
Notes:
- Provides for the mandatory testing of employees within 14 days of resuming operations under stage 2 lockdown and after the lockdown.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 110 OF 2020
Title : Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment)
(National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 8)
Date of Publication: 17 May 2020
Notes:
- The Statutory Instrument extends the lockdown indefinitely subject to a review every two weeks.
- It now permits persons to engage in outdoor exercises on condition that group exercises shall be limited to a maximum of 50 people.
- Gatherings of more than 50 people are still barred.
- Some sports are now permitted provided certain conditions are met.
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