President Emmerson Mnangagwa has applauded the nation for complying with the 21-day national lockdown requirements that he announced last week.
In his update to the nation on COVID-19 at State House in Harare on Friday, President Mnangagwa urged the nation to continue observing the restrictions as it the only way to beat the pandemic. He said:
Only last week, I directed a total lockdown of our society for a duration of 21 days. As your President, I am proud of the way most of you have responded to the lockdown.
Except where absolutely necessary, you have stayed at home, together with your families. You have observed and voluntarily enforced social distance and religiously followed routines of basic hygiene, as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Social interactions have either stopped or drastically reduced. We are on the right path.
The deployment of security arms has largely been symbolic, with you our citizens heeding the call, taking the lead and showing the way in the fight against this pandemic. Well done Zimbabwe and keep it up.
Global coronavirus infections have now reached 1 million, with the numbers increasing exponentially.
Meanwhile, recorded deaths from the pandemic are more than 52 000, with Europe being the most affected continent.