Additional Covid-19 Measures Announced

Following the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country, the government has revealed additional measures adopted by cabinet to curb the continued spread of the pandemic.

As of yesterday, 07 December 2021, Zimbabwe had 145 632 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 129 006 recoveries and 4 718 deaths.

Speaking during a post cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said government will be establishing vaccination sites at the main intra and inter-city bus termini, so as to ensure that those not vaccinated but wish to do so can have doses administered before they board the public transport.

She said a time will come when those not vaccinated will not be allowed to board public transportation.

“Please note that there will be a time when people will not be allowed to board public transport without a valid vaccination card; and The Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on the vaccination blitz of the 16-to-17 year age group in schools.” She said.

Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa said, “Cabinet wishes to advise the public that the Conference reviewed progress made in the implementation of the Eight Major Initiatives of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Beijing Action Plan. In his keynote address, President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China announced initiatives to strengthen China-Africa cooperation. The Ministerial Conference welcomed President Xis initiatives to implement nine programmes under the first three-year plan of the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. These programmes include the following, among others:

“Under the Medical and Health Programme China pledged to provide one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 600 million as direct donations and 400 million doses to be jointly produced by Chinese and identified African countries in order to help Africa achieve its goal of vaccinating 60% of its population by 2022.  Zimbabwe will make a submission to be one of those African countries.”

Zimbabwe last week first detected first case of the omicron variant and the currently under localised lockdown.