Do you now need an exemption letter to commute under current COVID-19 measures?
No. According to the government, only essential workers who need to move around after curfew are required to show exemption letters.
On Tuesday, the Government announced that there would be stricter monitoring of virus containment measures.
“The nation is advised that the exemption mechanisms which were used during the first lockdown in 2020 will be reactivated with immediate effect,” said Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa the weekly Cabinet briefing.
Although she made no mention of exemption letters, her statement was interpreted in the media to mean that the letters, which were discontinued as measures were eased, would not again be needed.
The Daily News reported that: “COVID exemption letters reinstated as infections, deaths continue to soar.”
However, the Government has clarified to say that this is not the case. Police should not demand letters under current regulations.
Under current measures, businesses are allowed to open between 8AM and 3.30PM. The curfew starts at 6.30PM.
After the curfew, only essential workers are allowed to move around. To do so, they will need exemption letters. Essential workers include people such as health workers, commercial truckers or those in food deliveries.
According to Information Secretary Nick Mangwana: “The three hours between 3.30pm when most businesses must close and 6.30pm, when the curfew comes into effect, is seen as adequate for staff in the general economy to clear their workplace and get home. After 3.30 pm, only essential services as spelt out by the law are allowed to open.”
Conclusion
You do not need exemption letters to commute or move around during working hours. However, during curfew hours, only essential services are allowed to operate. People working in essential services will need to provide proof in order to be allowed to move around.
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