COVID-19: STATE OF PUBLIC CALAMITY

Update February 2021

Malaika Ribeiro -MXR - ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS

By approving Decree No. 2/2021 of 4 February, the Government of Mozambique revised the measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This Decree repeals, with immediate effect, Decree No. 1/2021 of 13 January, bringing the following updates:

1. General and preventive measures
The use of face visors is no longer part of the general preventive measures, leaving only masks. It is clearly stated that wearing a visor does not exempt one from wearing a mask.

2. Quarantine and isolation
The validity period of negative PCR test results for passengers entering the country is reduced from 96 hours to 72 hours.

3. Classes
In-person classes are suspended at pre-school, primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and higher education institutions (public or private) for a period of 30 days throughout the national territory, except for the purpose of completing the exam timetable currently under way.

4. Public and private events

  • Private social events are prohibited for a period of 30 days, except marriage registration ceremonies, provided that the measures for preventing and combating the pandemic are strictly complied with, limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

  • Recreational and leisure games and sporting competitions at lower levels and amateur senior level are prohibited.

  • The return to training for national teams and squads with international commitments remains in place.

  • Training and competitions of the teams competing in the national football championship are suspended from 8 February.

  • State events are limited to a maximum of 50 participants, except in cases of an urgent nature, provided they are justified.

5. Commercial establishments

  • Opening hours for large commercial establishments are from 9:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Saturday, and from 9:00 to 16:00 on Sundays.

  • Other commercial establishments retain their normal opening hours.

  • Catering services are permitted to operate between 6:00 and 20:00, every day of the week

  • Commercial and catering establishments must set and display, in a clearly visible place in the establishment, its maximum capacity.


6. Religious ceremonies
Places of worship, conferences, meetings and religious celebrations are closed for a period of 30 days.

7. Curfew

  • A curfew is introduced in the Cities of Maputo and Matola, the District and Municipality of Boane and the District of Marracuene, between 21:00 and 4:00, for 30 days.

  • The curfew does not cover (i) workers in professional activities that do not allow interruptions, in pursuit of the public interest; (ii) journeys for urgent reasons to obtain health care; and (iii) other activities of a similar nature or for reasons of force majeure or pressing necessity, provided they are duly justified.

8. Operation of public and private institutions

  • It is for each entity to define the arrangements for working from home.

  • Where the recommended interpersonal distance of 2 metres cannot be guaranteed, a rotation system for service teams must be adopted.

  • The rotation system must not be confused with release from work, and work must be properly carried out at home.


Final note

Decree No. 2/2021 is valid for 30 days, from 5 February 2021.