COVID-19 restrictions - The African Mirror

Jun

2021

Zimbabwe imposes dusk to dawn curfew

ZIMBABWE’S President Emmerson Mnangagwa has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew, banned inter-city travel and cut business hours with immediate effect in response to increasing coronavirus infections. The southern Africa nation, which has recorded more than 47,000 cases since the outbreak last year, has seen its 7-day average infection rate increasing five times to 727 compared to two weeks ago. Mnangagwa said businesses would now open between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. while a curfew would start from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Companies would be required to only have 40% of their workforce, he said. The measures would be…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa tightens COVID-19 restrictions

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER FACED with a steady rise in daily infections, South Africa has mildly tightened COVID-19 restrictions by moving the country to Lockdown Level Two, with reduced time for business and increased curfew period. SA President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a special address to the nation, said the new restrictions were necessary to save lives and to ensure that hospitals were not overwhelmed. He said the need for tighter restrictions were based on sustained increase in new infections as well as a rise in the number of hospitalisations. “Delaying the spread of the virus is especially important now to allow…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Thrill of the silver screen returns to England as lockdown eases

WORLD

HANNA RANTALA LONDONER Sam Poch was anticipating the thrill of the big screen lighting up as he waited on Monday to enter a cinema on Leicester Square - a once routine experience that has not been possible for months because of COVID-19 restrictions. The 31-year-old content producer was among the first arriving to watch a film the old-fashioned way as cinemas in England reopened their doors as part of the latest stage in the government's phased lockdown relaxation plan. "I missed it a lot. It's just the whole experience of going out, sitting down in (front of) the big screen…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Zulu King’s remains arrive at palace, before burial

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER A light intermittent drizzle fell on Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, as the mortal remains of the King Goodwill Zwelithini, the late leader of South Africa's 12 million Amazulu, arrived at his royal palace ahead of his interment tonight. Thousands of traditionally clad men, members of Amabutho - regiments - and bare-chested maidens, descended on Nongoma to bid farewell King Zwelithini. The majority of the members of Amabutho and the maidens were not wearing masks and not keeping a safe distance, in violation of national COVID-19 restrictions. The shield and spear-wielding men as well as maidens dressed in…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia eases COVID-19 measures

COVID-19

TUNISIA hopes to save its economically vital summer tourism season as it announced an easing of COVID-19 restrictions including quarantine measures, a curfew and a ban on travel between regions. The Tunisian economy shrank 8.8% last year, the largest contraction in the country's history due, to the effects of the crisis on vital sectors such as tourism, aviation and export. "With these new measures, the vision has become more clear to travel tour operators... I think that the season can start in May and June because reservations will start from now," Mohamed Ammar, the tourism minister, told reporters. He added…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa eases COVID-19 restrictions

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African will now be able to buy alcohol, be out until midnight and political parties will now be able to campaign for the forthcoming local government elections under the new relaxed COVID-19 restrictions unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa tonight. In a special address to the nation, his second in 30 days, Ramaphosa said a dramatic reduction in infection and deaths from COVID-19, led to a decision by the SA cabinet to move the country from Alert Level 3 to 1. Under the Level One the following restrictions apply: Alcohol sales will be sold as per licence…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Gabon tightens COVID-19 restrictions

COVID-19

GABON has restricted travel in and out of its capital city, and expanded curfew hours to limit travel and slow the spread of coronavirus infections, Interior Minister Lambert Noel Matha said yesterday. Matha told a news conference that curfew hours have been extended by two hours, now starting at 6 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) until 0500 GMT. He said travellers in and out of Libreville and neighbouring municipalities are now required to present a negative COVID-19 test because of the rising number of cases. Coronavirus cases in Gabon are at 73% of peak and rising, according to Reuters data.…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa relaxes COVID-19 restrictions

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER INSPIRED by decreased levels of infections and reduced hospital admissions, South Africa has relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, allowing people to buy alcohol, visit beaches and other public places. SA president Cyril Ramaphosa said the country will remain on COVID-19 Alert Level 3 but announced the following relaxed measures. Curfew hours will now be from 11pm to 4amRestaurants and other establishments have to close at 10pmDuty-free shops, registered wineries, wine farms, micro-breweries and micro-distilleries will be able to sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their normal licensed operating hours.The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for on-site consumption –…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

‘Overwhelmed’ Zimbabwe tightens COVID-19 restrictions, orders most businesses closed

COVID-19

ZIMBABWE extended a nationwide curfew, banned gatherings and ordered non-essential businesses closed for a month in an effort to curb a surge in coronavirus infections. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also health minister, said some of the tighter restrictions were effective immediately and included a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and a ban on inter-city travel. From Tuesday, non-essential businesses would also be suspended, he said. "People must stay at home save for buying food and medicines or transporting sick relatives," Chiwenga told a news conference. The country had recorded 1,342 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths in one…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa bans super-spreader events, closes beaches in response to spike in COVID-19 second wave infections

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa has announced extraordinary festive season restrictions, banning “super-spreader” events, closing beaches in the Eastern Cape and restricting alcohol sales in response to a big spike in the second wave of COVID-19 infections. President Cyril Ramaphosa. SA president Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new tougher measures in a special address to the nation. Ramaphosa said two new areas - the Sarah Baartman and the Garden Route - have been designated as COVID-19 hotspots, because of the sharp spike in infections. The Nelson Mandela Bay was declared a hotspot on December 3. He said the new restrictions include: …