Type of Intervention: Regulation
Sectors Involved: Civil Defence
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Domestic travel; International travel measures; Legal and policy; Regulatory change; New initiatives
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: This was a Government of Zimbabwe pronouncement. Law enforcement agents and judiciary are leading in the implementation of the intervention.
Overview: Intervention: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020. Target audience: National Intended effect: To stop the publication or communication of “false or fake news” during the national lockdown period and to legitimatize the lockdown.
Full details here: https://www.veritaszim.net/sites/veritas_d/files/SI%202020-083%20Public%20Health%20%28COVID-19%20Prevention%2C%20Containment%20and%20Treatment%29%20%28National%20Lockdown%29%20Order%2C%202020.pdf
Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Anecdotal Evidence (e.g. social or traditional media with limited evidence base), Perception of an increased threat
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – other, Anectodal evidence ( social media)
Evidence/Justification: It was a perceived by the government that there is an increase in fake news regarding the COVID-19. The law was enacted to curb spread of fake or false news during the national lockdown.