Covid-19 law passed

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has enacted a law that allows the arrest of people who defy his Covid-19 lockdown measures. Under statutory instrument 77, those who are found in crowds of more than 50 people will be arrested and jailed for up to a year. The figure was reduced from 100 after Zimbabwe registered its first Covid-19 death – prominent journalist Zororo Makamba. However, TimesLIVE reports that residents in Harare and Bulawayo are going about their business as usual. There are long queues for mealie meal and fuel and at banks. Supermarkets and restaurants remain open. Shop owner Stanley Dube said the public has two options – ‘die of Covid-19 or face starvation, so we would rather take our chances'.