The Public Service Commission (PSC) has urged all heads of ministries to get vaccinated against the Covid -19 so as to ensure that all civil servants under their authority are vaccinated.
Since the tightening of the Covid-19 induced lockdown last month, only 40 per cent of civil servants were reporting for duty at workplaces which was a measure to reduce the spread of Covid-19 hence the PSC has seen it fit that all civil servants get vaccinated.
In a circular dated 19 July 2021, addressed to all Ministries, PSC secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe said all civil servants were supposed to be vaccinated as they are also part of the frontline workers.
“All civil servants are considered to be front line workers as indicated by the health authorities. All Heads of ministries are therefore directed to ensure that all civil servants under their jurisdiction are vaccinated,” he said.
“All Ministries are directed to adhere to the following measures with immediate effect:
“Reduce the number of staff coming to work from 40% to 10% for all Line Ministries, Departments and Agencies with the exception of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and designated critical services with immediate effect,
“Line Ministries to rotate staff in such a manner that no employee shall remain at home for more than twenty-one (21) days at a stretch.” He said.
Wutawunashe said PSC shall ensure fumigation of buses daily and after each trip with only members with proof of vaccination against COVID-19 shall board PSC buses.
The PSC shall observe social distancing in buses with each bus carrying a maximum of 35 passengers.
“There shall be strict monitoring and enforcement of staff attendance at workplaces. Daily staff attendance records should continue to be submitted to the PSC before 13:00 hours and any variation should be accompanied by a clear justification,” he added.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, which has largely been successful in containing the spread of the virulent contagion, is witnessing a spike in infections and mortalities, with experts warning against complacency.
The country is targeting to vaccinate at least 10 million of its population, a position that would ensure herd immunity, which occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.