PCR tests no longer required for entry into Zimbabwe

Harare (New Ziana) -Fully vaccinated visitors and returning residents will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR Covid-19 test result to enter Zimbabwe, Cabinet resolved on Tuesday.

The move is meant to further open up the country following the reopening of land borders in February.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said a negative PCR certificate will only be required if the returning resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated.

“Cabinet has resolved that returning residents and visitors are no longer required to present a negative PCR certificate on arrival at ports of entry. Only a valid vaccination certificate showing that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any one WHO-approved vaccines will suffice,” she said in her post Cabinet briefing.

“This is in recognition of the declining Covid-19 new cases, most of which are now very mild or have no symptoms and increasing vaccination coverage. A negative PCR certificate will only be a requirement if the returning resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated.”

On the country’s current Covid-19 case-load, Mutsvangwa said as at 28 March, cumulative cases stood at 245 927, with 237 295 recoveries and 5 438 deaths.

The recovery rate stood at 96 percent, with 3 194 active cases having been recorded.

“The number of new COVID-19 cases decreased to 1 301 during the week under review, compared to the 2 004 recorded the previous week,” she said.

“The number of cases in need of hospitalisation for Covid-19 continues to decrease, with the country’s bed occupancy rate declining to 1.3 percent during the week under review, from 2.3 percent the previous week. There were no admissions to intensive care unit.”

Regarding the national vaccination programme, Mutsvangwa said as at 28 March, a total of 4 917 541 people had received their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, while 3 498 431 people had received their second dose.

A total of 288 693 third doses have been administered to date.

“The National Vaccination Blitz saw 481 005 doses being administered between 21 and 25 March, 2022. Cabinet is encouraging those that have not yet been vaccinated to take advantage of this exercise.”

Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had resolved to rope in tobacco farmers into winter wheat production to increase hectarage.

Government had set a target of 75000 hectares.

“Pertaining to wheat, Cabinet reports that in order to increase the hectarage under wheat as well as increase the output, tobacco farmers will be roped in to grow the crop.

“The transition to winter wheat by tobacco farmers is a welcome move and will go a long way in boosting supply of the cereal so that we have sufficient domestic stocks. Cabinet is pleased to report that the country has sufficient fertilizers for winter-wheat farming. Efforts are also being made to guarantee fertiliser supplies for the summer season”
New Ziana