Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended a nationwide lockdown by two weeks in a bid to curb further spread of COVID-19.

The Southern African country is one of 52 African countries that have reported cases of COVID-19, having registered 40 infections and four deaths.

President Mnangagwa also announced a $720 million stimulus package for distressed companies, most which will be allowed to reopen on Monday.

Zimbabwe's initial three-week lockdown started in March but has been extended to the current period as the world continues its fight against the pandemic.

The lockdown put more strain on the country's already struggling economy, as businesses remained shut.

President Mnangagwa said the $720 million stimulus, which is just more than a quarter of this year's national budget, would also be directed towards smaller businesses which are hardest hit by the lockdown.

The president also said health workers would not be taxed for the next six months to boost their earnings as they lead the fight against COVID-19.