There will be no gatherings to mark both Heroes and Defence
Forces holidays due to Covid-19, a Cabinet Minister said on Tuesday.
Traditionally, the days are marked by huge gatherings at
the National Heroes Acre and provincial shrines across the country while on
Defence Forces day; members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces entertain crowds
with coordinated mass displays.
The suspension of Heroes and Defence Forces festivities
mirrors Independence celebrations in April which were low key due to the pandemic.
Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing, Information,
Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said
commemorations to mark the two holidays would be held virtually.
“July Moyo, the minister of Local Government and Public Works,as
the Acting Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions, briefed
Cabinet on the suspension of gatherings.
“2020 Heroes Day Commemorations and the Defence Forces Day
Celebrations. There will be no gatherings this year to mark both events. His
Excellency, the President will address the nation using virtual platforms.
“The 2020 Heroes Day Commemorations will be held under the
theme “REMEMBERING OUR HEROES” on 10th August, the Defence Forces Day
Celebrations will be held on 11th August, 2020 under the theme “ZDF:
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE,” she said.
Mutsvangwa added: “The Virtual celebrations will take place
over a period of two (2) weeks and covered by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Services (ZBC)-TV, which will extensively feature the Zimbabwe Defence Force’s
exploits, community assistance projects and the Defence Forces Medical Outreach
Programme.”
To date, Zimbabwe has 2 704 confirmed COVID-19 cases, a 68
percent increase from 1 713 cases reported on 20 July, 2020.
The total number of COVID-19 fatalities has also increased
to 36 from the 26 reported last week.
Due to the spike in locally transmitted Covid-19 cases
which has increased by 112 percent from 791 to 1 675 during the past week,
Mutsvangwa said government will hold some meetings virtually to limit spread of
the disease among officials.
“In order to curb the further spread of the disease among
Government officials, the holding of meetings by virtual means will be
enhanced. At universities and colleges, face-to-face classes have been
suspended and lessons will be carried out online.
“Those who had started writing examinations will be allowed
to complete them, while those who had not started their examinations will have
them deferred,” said Mutsvangwa.
New Ziana
0 comments:
Post a Comment