Police in Zimbabwe will arrest anyone who leaves their homes without wearing a face mask, effective Monday 4 May.

The announcement was made on Sunday by deputy minister of Information Energy Mutodi, as the southern African country continues its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With effect tomorrow Monday 4 May, police will arrest anyone seen without putting on a mask in the CBD, entering shops or any public places," Mutodi wrote on Twitter.

The move follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa's announcement on Friday that members of the public will be required to wear face masks in all public spaces.

Mnangagwa also extended the lockdown which was meant to end on Sunday by two weeks but downgraded it to stage 2, allowing some industries to resume operations.

Zimbabwe is one of 52 countries in Africa that have recorded cases of COVID-19. The country has registered 34 infections and four fatalities, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Africa has reported more than 43,000 cases and over 1,700 deaths.