HARARE – Government has suspended the mandatory wearing of face masks in open public spaces after the country has registered a continuous decline in new Covid-19 infections.

The easing of the Covid-19 restriction, which takes immediate effect, was announced at a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday by Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.

Mutsvangwa however said the exemption only benefitted those who have been fully vaccinated against the pandemic.

She maintained face masks were still required for everybody during indoor public events such as concerts.

“Noting the significant decrease in COVID-19 cases, Cabinet resolved as follows; that those who have been fully vaccinated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended vaccines are now exempted from mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor public places but should however wear face masks in indoor public places and on public transport.

“Those who are fully vaccinated should carry their vaccination cards all the time,” she said.

According to government, as at 15 August, 2022, a total of 6 390 545 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 752 575 people had received the second dose, and 959 909 the third dose.

Government introduced compulsory wearing of face masks starting May 4, 2020 following an outbreak and surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

However, while they were a necessary prevention tool against infections, the wearing of face masks was largely ignored by a great majority in the country’s densely populated townships and in most rural areas.

Meanwhile, government says the country registered a 46 percent decline in new infections after 57 cases were recorded this week, compared to 105 the previous week.

An average of 8 new cases were reported per day, compared to 15 the previous week.

A total of 13 new admissions were recorded during the week, thereby reflecting a zero percent change from the previous week.

Since the outbreak, the country’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 256 561 as at 15th August, 2022, with 250 733 recoveries and 5 588 deaths.

The recovery rate was 98%, with 240 active cases.