POLICE have arrested 2 885 people countrywide for disregarding lockdown regulations and warned people against travelling during the Easter holidays because the lockdown is still on.

The Easter period starts tomorrow until April 13 but the country is on a 21-day national lockdown which ends on April 19.

President Mnangagwa last week declared a 21-day lockdown as part of robust measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, a deadly global pandemic which has so far killed more than 85 000 and infected more than 1,4 million worldwide.

The lockdown is meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.

A total of 11 people have tested positive to Covid-19, with the latest case being that of a 79-year-old Bulawayo man who succumbed to the disease on Saturday bringing to two, the number of people who have died of Covid-19 in the country.

In a statement yesterday, National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged Zimbabweans to observe the Easter holiday in their homes to contain the deadly pandemic.

He also expressed concern over an increase in the volume of traffic, with some vehicles being parked in central business districts the whole day for no valid reasons, saying such vehicles risked being impounded with owners being arrested and prosecuted.

“So far 2 885 people have been arrested countrywide for liquor, traffic, opening of businesses, unnecessary movements and other miscellaneous offences. We have since intensified patrols, surveillance and roadblocks with a view of nabbing those who openly defy Covid-19 lockdown measures,” he said.

“The nation is going to commemorate Easter from 10-13 April 2020 and at the same time observe the Covid-19 safety and health guidelines which were pronounced by the President, His Excellency, Cde ED Mnangagwa on 27 March 2020.”-State media