Sixty-five Zimbabweans returning from the United Kingdom
yesterday refused compulsory quarantine at Belvedere Technical Teacher’s
College citing “poor conditions”, and preferred to be checked into a hotel
instead but they were kept there overnight while there is possible transfer to
the University of Zimbabwe today.
According to Government officials dealing with the
returnees, they knew that Zimbabwe wanted compulsory quarantine for everyone
coming from Covid-19 hotspots, but they were expecting “something better”.
Some offered to meet own accommodation expenses at
preferred places.
In an interview last night, Public Service, Labour and
Social Welfare Secretary Mr Simon Masanga said alternative accommodation could
only be arranged today.
This was the first time the Government had challenges with
returnees on accommodation.
Over 1 000 other people have been quarantined so far.
The Government says it will continue looking for more
facilities across the country to use for compulsory quarantine.
The stance taken by the 65 people received mixed feelings
from most locals, with a majority supporting continued compulsory quarantine of
all returning residents if Zimbabwe was to mitigate the spread of Covid-19
through imported cases.
The United Kingdom has extended visas to May 31, 2020, for all foreigners who could not leave the
country due to travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus.
Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Mr Nick Mangwana yesterday said Government could not afford “posh
facilities” for returnees.
“We received 65 Zimbabweans from the UK. Available place of
quarantine is Belvedere Teacher’s College. They are refusing this accommodation
demanding hotels. Government can’t afford. Why come from a Covid-19 hotspot
during a lockdown and demand posh facilities at stretched public cost,” said Mr
Mangwana on his Twitter handle.
Already, two returnees, one from France and another from
the UK in compulsory quarantine facilities, have since tested positive.
Latest statistics show that UK and France are in the top 10
of the world’s most affected countries. Herald
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