Cabinet yesterday put on hold all other business to discuss
ways and measures of tackling the coronavirus in a rare show of high level
seriousness by Government in dealing with the global pandemic that recorded its
first death in Zimbabwe on Monday.
Further, an 11-member inter-ministerial ad hoc taskforce
appointed by President Mnangagwa to deal with the outbreak of coronavirus was
activated yesterday in line with a Cabinet decision made on March 17, 2020.
The ministers involved in the taskforce are Dr Obadiah Moyo
who is the chairman (Health and Child Care), July Moyo who is the deputy chair
(Local Government and Public Works), Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Defence and War
Veterans Affairs), Kazembe Kazembe (Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage), Dr
Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs and International Trade), Joel Biggie Matiza
(Transport and Infrastructural Development), Mangaliso Ndlovu (Environment,
Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry), Professor Mthuli Ncube (Finance and
Economic Development), Professor Amon Murwira (Higher and Tertiary Education,
Innovation and Science Technology Development and Monica Mutsvangwa
(Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services).
Minister Mutsvangwa revealed this during a post Cabinet
briefing at Munhumutapa Government offices yesterday.
Among other things, the taskforce would be responsible for
is monitoring the situation and managing the response to the Covid-19 outbreak
and identifying gaps for corrective action.
“The following terms of reference will guide the
taskforce’s operations, to raise the general awareness of the public on the
pandemic, to mobilise domestic and international financial resources to
adequately respond to the outbreak and to engage private sector associations
that include captains of industry and businesses, religious leaders, local
authorities, traditional leaders and they will be coming for support in the
implementation of the identified initiatives,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said the taskforce would also be responsible for
briefing the President, Cabinet and the nation on the country’s preparedness
and response to coronavirus.
Said Minister Mutsvangwa: “As the chairman of the task
force Honourable Obadiah Moyo is required to make use of the Civil Protection
Unit, which has the requisite geographical spread and representation for
maximum, effective, collective response and action as displayed in the
management of the Cyclone Idai disaster.”
She said the taskforce would also be responsible for rallying
all stakeholders towards the successful fight of the pandemic that include the
Zimbabwe Medical Association, its affiliates and all stakeholders in the
medical field.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Dr Moyo updated Cabinet on the
national preparedness response progress on the Covid-19 outbreak in Zimbabwe
and noted the death of Zororo Makamba at Wilkins due to the novel virus and
extended condolences to the Makamba family.
She said Cabinet noted with appreciation the support, which
was rendered by various partners in particular the Alibaba Foundation that had
made a donation of a consignment of commodities to help strengthen and
intensify surveillance, laboratory testing and case management of Covid-19.
The first consignment arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe
International Airport yesterday consisting of 20 000 laboratory diagnostic
kits, 10 000 medical face masks and 1 000 protective suites and face shields.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the late Zororo Makamba was buried
yesterday under the supervision of health authorities and also dispelled social
media rumours that Prof Mthuli was in self-isolation.
She said Zimbabwe’s preparations for the Covid-19 were not
like the country was aware that the virus was coming but Government was doing
everything to save life.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that it was encouraging that news
from China showed that there were no new infections, saying it would also be
easier for Zimbabwe since most of the equipment to fight the virus comes from
the Asian country.
She said the positive coronavirus case in Victoria Falls,
which was the first one, was being monitored and his condition was now stable.
Herald
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