Statutory Instrument 110 of 2020 Archives

Gazetted on the 17^th of May 2020 is S.I 110 of 2020. This is the 8^th order that the Minister of Health has promulgated as part of the lockdown legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article will highlight the major points emanating from this Statutory Instrument.

Lockdown extension

The Statutory Instrument extends the lockdown indefinitely subject to a review every two weeks.

Extension of the definition of essential services

The definition of essential services now includes the conducting of public examination in schools, colleges, universities, and tertiary institutions.

This means that public examinations can now be conducted without hindrance.

Outdoor Exercises

The statutory instrument now permits persons to engage in outdoor exercises on condition that group exercises shall be limited to a maximum of 50 people.

Persons are required to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing during such exercises.

Public Gatherings

Gatherings of more than 50 people are still barred.

Extension of working hours

Businesses in the formal commercial sector of the economy are now permitted to operate from 0800 hours to 1630hours.

Low-risk sports

Some sports are now permitted provided certain conditions are met. These sports include swimming, athletics, rowing, cycling, equestrian events, fencing, golf, gymnastics, motorsports/BMX, shooting, tennis, chess, darts, drafts, and pool.

Some of the conditions for these sports include:

Spectators should be less than 50.
Athletes should maintain social distancing.
Temperatures should be checked before and after the sports.
Athletes don’t share PPE.

Persons competing or spectating should also be subjected to testing for the COVID-19 disease at the direction of an enforcement officer.

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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 30^th of March 2020 to the 19^th 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: 19^th 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 30^th of March 2020 to the 3^rd of May 2020.
The initial lockdown was from 30^th of March 2020 to the 19^th 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 17^th 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.