Following our previous update on the national lockdown measures in Zimbabwe, we wish to advise our valued Clients and stakeholders that Zimbabwe has eased the lockdown measures with effect from the 2nd of March 2021.
The measures were introduced through the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) Order, 2021 (No.16) published in Statutory Instrument 61 of 2021. Businesses have resumed operations however, with the requirement to abide strictly with the World Health Organization standards of containing the Corona pandemic. The business hours are from 0800 hours to 1900 hours and there will be a curfew beginning at 2200 hours and ending at 0530 hours on the following day. International travel is permitted, subject to Corona Virus testing requirements. Masks and social distancing are mandatory with people being required to wear face masks whenever they are in public places.
Court Operations
Through Practice Direction 5 of 2021 the Chief Justice of Zimbabwe proceeded to give guidance on court[1] operations. The courts have resumed normal operations including the offices of the Master and Sheriff of the High Court.
With effect from the 2nd of March 2021, the filing of new cases, process and documents, pleadings, papers and court orders, including service and execution by the Sheriff and Messenger of Court resumed in terms of the applicable court rules.
However, the courts will be adhering to strict covid-19 containment measures and entry into court premises will be limited to litigants, their legal practitioners and necessary witnesses.
The Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO)
ZIPO has also issued a directive advising that it has opened its offices with effect from the 8th of March 2021. However, they have reduced their operating hours as a result of the reduced workforce as a way of trying to stop the spread of the corona virus. Searches, lodging of documents, collections etc will be conducted from Monday to Thursday.
With respect to the documents which became due for filing during the lockdown period, ZIPO has also advised that any statutory obligation which became due after the 31st of March 2020, its due date shall be automatically extended up to the 31st of May 2021.
There have also been developments with respect to the IPAS server which has not been functioning for some months now. Indications are that the Treasury finally released funds for the securing of the server and hopefully the IPAS will be operational very soon.
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
As previously advised, ARIPO is now digital and the filing of documents and making payments is still being done online. However, their offices remain closed to the public.
Our Operations
We have resumed operations at our offices however with strict adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. Meetings are strictly by appointment, please take heed. We encourage everyone to stay safe, mask up, avoid person to person contact, maintain social distancing and entry into our premises will be subject to temperature checks and hand sanitization.
Better days are ahead.
Stay safe!
Yours faithfully
Head of Practice
Brenda Matanga
BMATANGA IP ATTORNEYS
[1] This refers to the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Labour Court, the Administrative Court and the Magistrates’ Court in Zimbabwe
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