Government has declared the coronavirus pandemic a State of
National Disaster, postponed Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), all
independence celebrations, and banned public gatherings of more than 100 people
for 60 days, including church services, weddings and all international sporting
fixtures.
The measures were announced by President Mnangagwa at State
House yesterday in his State Of the Nation Address (SONA) which outlined
sweeping precautions taken by the Government to control the new virus that has
already affected some countries in southern Africa.
Declaring the pandemic a State of National Disaster allows
the Government to raise and use more resources.
While there have been no confirmed cases of CovID-19 in
Zimbabwe, the Government has put the country on high alert, with screening and
testing, and the latest moves reinforce this state of preparation.
The school term, which has only two more weeks to run, will
not be affected by the ban unless there are extraordinary situations.
Should the situation escalate, the President said the
Government would not hesitate to take further and even more drastic measures
for the country’s common good.
Resources originally earmarked for a series of national
events would now be channelled towards strengthening systems to defend the
country from coronavirus and for drought mitigation efforts.
“With immediate effect and for a unified and coordinated
effort, I have directed that our national disaster management machinery extends
its mandate and focus on dealing with the pandemic, with the Ministry of Health
and Child Care as the lead agency…
“Government has decided to postpone, curtail or cancel
public events, gatherings and activities. In that respect, Government has
postponed the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, all national independence
celebrations previously planned and pending international sporting fixtures
until the threat of coronavirus recedes. All these activities will resume as
soon as we are satisfied that our nation is no longer at risk.
President Mnangagwa giving a state of the nation address on
COVID 19 virus at state house yesterday. Picture by John Manzongo
“Resources originally earmarked for these events will now
be redirected towards strengthening our defences against the coronavirus and
towards drought mitigation. Gatherings of more than 100 people, including those
for purposes of worship and weddings stand suspended for the next 60 days after
which the suspension will be reviewed.”
President Mnangagwa said curtailment of unnecessary travel
to high risk countries remained in force and visitors from the same countries
are also encouraged to postpone their travel arrangements to Zimbabwe for the
next 30 days.
He said major ports of entry would remain open but
screening, testing and other recommended World Health Organisation measures
would be enforced vigorously.
However, all designated small border crossings will stand
closed until further notice. Designated small border crossings are entry points
that allow communities living in border areas to visit each other without using
passports but passes. They are thinly manned and thus not equipped to deal with
the coronavirus.
“To reduce the likelihood of infections and the spread of
the coronavirus, Government has now put all hospitals and health facilities on
high alert for (Covid-19),” said President Mnangagwa.
“Kits and other accessories for screening, handling,
testing and treatment continue to be availed. More isolation and treatment
centres are being identified, designated and equipped appropriately.
“A national communication taskforce on the virus and for
disseminating accurate information and raising general national awareness on
the pandemic will be immediately constituted.
“Going forward, our monthly National Clean Up Exercise must
henceforth, incorporate heightened awareness on the virus, including measures,
which experts recommend to ensure highest standards of public hygiene. Now is
the time to show unity of purpose in our nation. We have to reach out to each
other in fighting this deadly pandemic.”
As such President Mnangagwa said: “We either unite in
fighting it or it forces us together in shared grief. The choice is that stark
and ours to make. That choice has to be now while there is still time.”
President Mnangagwa said the adverse effects of the virus
across the globe had affected implementation of some projects in the country
notably in transport and infrastructure development.
He said lives had been lost across the globe and thus
Zimbabwe should join hands with the rest of the world in fighting the virus.
“While we are relieved that our country is still free from
this virus, which continues to spread elsewhere across persons, communities,
countries and continents, we stand in full solidarity with all the peoples and
nations of the world so far affected by the pandemic,” said President
Mnangagwa.
“Nations of the world have to stand together. We are under
no illusion that what befalls our global neighbours today may not eventually
hit us and also affect our communities tomorrow.” Herald
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