07 December 2021
Lindie Dube
At the announcement on the discovery of the Omicron variant, Zimbabwean President ED Mnangagwa imposed mandatory quarantine for everyone arriving in the country through our borders and points of entry to curb the spread of the virus.
Many citizens and experts felt the measure was a rushed decision that would negate with business especially the tourism industry.
The measures would again impede on the travel arrangements of those who would want to visit family in the country during the festive season.
A statutory instrument has since been promulgated to enforce these measures through the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The statement reads,
All returning residents and visitors shall be subjected to mandatory PCR testing (notwithstanding that they present a PCR negative test result from elsewhere).
Those found to be negative will be quarantined at their own cost for 10 days. Those in quarantine will be retested after 5 days.
Those who are found to be PCR positive or have signs and symptoms will be isolated.
Returning residents and visitors who have been outside the country for more than 14 days found to be PCR negative will be subjected to a mandatory ten-day quarantine at designated public or private Covid-19 quarantine facilities at their own cost, while those that have been outside the country for period less than 14 days may be allowed to self-quarantine at their respective homes.
However, home quarantine will be granted prior to inspection and approval of facilities.
Experts have warned that there is no preparedness to immediately implement the quarantining of Covid-19 individuals as previously schools have been used as quarantine centers, however now with schools open it will be difficult.
It has been observed that Beitbridge Border Post, police and immigration departments are reportedly concerned with the directive as it will fuel illegal border crossings and possibly lead to massive infections and crime.
As at 06 December 2021, Zimbabwe had 141 601 confirmed cases, including 128 966 recoveries and 4713 deaths. To date, a total of 3 882 255 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Members of the public are advised to get vaccinated and observe all Covid-19 Protocols.
Zim GBC News