By A Correspondent| Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa extending the national lockdown by a further 14 days albeit re-opening the larger part of the economy, intercity movement remains restricted together with gymnasiums, bars and churches.

In his address yesterday afternoon, Mnangagwa said the country had moved to stage two of the national lockdown with industry and commerce allowed to resume operations after subjecting workers to temperature screening and sanitatization.

As part of the conditions for further relaxation, it will be compulsory to wear masks in reopened businesses and outside homes, although these can be home-made, and reopened businesses will have to have all staff tested by public health authorities before opening and have temperature scanners.

“All people must wear masks of any type, including home-made ones, outside their homes,” he said.

“The reopening of industry and commerce, provided that companies must ensure mandatory rapid diagnostic testing of all employees, social distancing in the workplace, sanitisation and that all employees wear masks. Operating hours shall be from 8am to 3pm,” said Mnangagwa.

On public transport system, Mnangagwa said only buses will be allowed to ferry people with kombis and smaller taxis still banned while intercity movement remain restricted.

“Public buses only, will be the mode of public transport. Omnibuses, (kombis) and smaller taxis are still not permitted to operate.

“Bus operators must ensure that their buses are disinfected twice daily, and that commuters wear masks, have  their temperatures checked and hands sanitised before boarding buses. Social distancing must also be maintained within all buses,” President Mnangagwa said.

He said only those in industry and commerce and the bus operators that could fulfill these requirements would be allowed to re-open and operate.