Cabinet yesterday approved stringent measures to ensure
there is no outbreak of Covid-19 in the country, which will see visitors from
affected countries being asked to produce valid medical certificates showing
that they are negative from the contagious virus.
Coronavirus originated from the Chinese city of Wuhan and
has spread to various parts of the world, recording a death toll of over 3 000.
The medical clearance certificates should show that the
visitors were examined for symptoms and tested for Covid-19 at a Government
designated institution in their country.
Those who fail to produce the certificates will be
immediately deported.
So far, over 6 000 people have been screened of the virus
at ports of entry mainly the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Responding to
questions from journalists during a post Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday,
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah said Government was taking the tough
measures to ensure Zimbabwe was not affected by the virus.
“Those who come without medical certificates showing that
they were examined by Government doctors from their countries of origin, we
will simply say ‘thank you for the visit but we are sending you back’,” said Dr
Moyo.
“We are doing this to ensure that we don’t have people who
bring Coronavirus in our country. We will take all stringent measures to ensure
that we don’t have Corona virus in Zimbabwe.”
Earlier, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services
Minister Monica Mutsvangwa had given a detailed brief on Cabinet deliberations
on the Covid-19.
Zimbabwe has not yet recorded any case of Covid-19.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the two suspected Covid-19
patients tested negative and were discharged. She said Government would
continue to monitor them.
“There was a report that was given by the Minister of
Health and Child Care which was an update on the national preparedness and
response progress regarding the 2019 Coronavirus/Covid-19,” said Minister
Mutsvangwa.
“Cabinet was informed that as of 01 March a total 6 169
travellers have been screened at our air and ground ports of entry with the
majority through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.”
Cabinet was told that the two suspected cases of
coronavirus detected, were of a Zimbabwean and a Chinese national, who have
since been discharged after testing negative.
But they will be monitored for 21 days. All Government emergency agencies, including
the Department of Civil Protection, have been directed to be prepared for
Covid-19 outbreaks.
Government workers at ports of entry should work in unison
to enhance the country’s preparedness.
Minister Mutsvangwa said spot checks on visitors on the 21
self-quarantine should continue to be enhanced. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment