As it was confirmed that Zimbabwe is now in the midst of the fourth Covid-19 wave fuelled by the Omicron variant, details were given yesterday of how the new compulsory 10-day quarantine for all returning residents and visitors will work.
Those away for less than 14 days will be able to quarantine
at home, if an inspection finds their home suitable, while those away for more
than 14 days will have to quarantine at a public or private facility at their
own expense. Both groups will be given a PCR test on arrival, regardless of
whether they were tested outside the country, and both groups will have a
second PCR test after five days.
At the same time police announced that enforcement of all
lockdown regulations, new and old, was being stepped up. Check points will
ensure compliance with the curfew, and bars and night clubs are being checked
to ensure only the fully vaccinated are let in, and all businesses, including
these entertainment businesses, being checked to ensure the 7pm closing time.
Confirming the arrival of the fourth wave in Zimbabwe and
the presence of the Omicron variant, Vice President and Minister of Health and
Child Care Constantino Chiwenga said genome sequence of samples from Masvingo
and other places had confirmed the presence of Omicron variant in Zimbabwe and
said vaccination backed by compliance with public health measures was the only
way of dealing with the wave.
Speaking during the clean up of the open space near
Masvingo Hospital, the Vice President said Zimbabweans must adhere to Covid-19
rules and regulations to contain the fourth wave and those who had not been
vaccinated should get jabbed promptly.
VP Chiwenga cautioned Zimbabweans against complacency as the
new Omicron variant was now in the country.
Tests on specimens collected from positive students from
Masvingo Teacher’s College showed the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
“Of late, we have been witnessing a lot of complacency with
regards to abiding by Covid-19 safety protocols set by WHO and the Government.
Individuals are not paying attention to these safety protocols but we need to
change from that behaviour because if we are to survive this battle,” he said.
“The recent spike in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of
this month shows that we are now in the fourth wave and in fact we have just
finished genomic sequencing and as I speak here in Masvingo, we have already
established that their new Omicron variant is here from the genomic sequencing
done on specimens collected from positive students the Masvingo Teacher’s
College.”
The VP said the only way to win the war against the
Covid-19 pandemic was to get jabbed.
Government was considering extending vaccination to cover
those aged from 12 years as the nation continued to extend vaccination. Other
countries have been vaccinating ever younger children as vaccines are proved
safe, with Zimbabwe taking the first step recently when Sinovac was certified
as safe for those aged 16 and above. Herald
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