23 March 2020 – Government declares Covid-19 an epidemic disease and prohibits large gatherings

Type of Intervention: Regulation
Sectors Involved: Health
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Regulatory change; New initiatives; Surveillance and response measures; Detecting and isolating cases; Social and physical distancing measures; Gatherings, businesses, and services
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Decision making of the intervention was from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The Ministry is leading in the implementation of the intervention.

Overview: Intervention: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations (SI 77 of 2020). Target audience: National. Intended Effect: To declare Covid-19 to be a formidable epidemic disease, prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people, whatever their purpose, permit compulsory testing, detention, quarantine and treatment, and
give the Minister of Health power to publish orders in the Gazette providing for most of the matters for which regulations can be made under section 28 of the Public Health Act.
Full details here: http://www.veritaszim.net/node/4037

Type of Justification: Learning from other jurisdictions
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – other
Evidence/Justification: There was a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases. The Government of Zimbabwe declared COVID-19 to be a formidable epidemic disease, this prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people, whatever their purpose permit compulsory testing, detention, quarantine and treatment