Exemption Letters For Essential Workers Only

Government yesterday said ordinary business can continue to operate between 8am and 3.30pm whilst those working late and those not at home after the 6.30pm curfew must now produce an exemption letter to give as assurance that they are providing essential services.

The three hours between 3.30pm when most businesses must close and 6.30pm, when the curfew comes into effect, was seen as adequate for essential service workers to clear their workplace and get home.

The Cabinet agreed on Tuesday that enforcement of the lockdown was required because there was an element of non-compliance on the already enhanced lockdown measures.

Most people were confused by the Cabinet decision to demand better compliance, and were not helped by some misleading interpretations put out on social media platforms.

In an interview, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana however said there had been no new changes in the lockdown regulations and almost all economic activities could continue in the same way as it had since the shorter hours announced last week.

“The position is that all businesses will be allowed to operate but should do so within the stipulated time which is 3.30pm. The expectation is that between 3.30 pm and 6.30pm people should be going home ahead of a curfew set at 6.30pm. After 3.30 pm, only essential services as spelt out by the law are allowed to open,” said Mr Mangwana.

He reminded businesses that they were expected to reduce their workforces on business premises by riding on technological platforms so people could work from home and meetings should be held virtually where possible.

Inter-city passenger travel remain banned and law enforcement agencies will continue to enforce this with those seeking an exemption going through the normal procedure and providing evidence of why they needed an exemption.

Police have been stopping people travelling after curfew, seeking an explanation and recording details even when they accept that the travel is legitimate.

The enhanced measures were put in place, and the school holidays were extended to help combat a third wave of Covid-19 infection spreading from initial hotspots that were first put under tighter lockdown control.