Cabinet venue switch explained

Harare (New Ziana) – The government’s decision to hold Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting at State House instead of the usual Munhumutapa Cabinet room is a precautionary measure against Covid-19, an official has said.

Zimbabwe recorded its first Covid-19 death on Monday, and the victim is reported to have recently visited the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) George Charamba said the venue was changed in light of the global pandemic.

“Social distancing at work, today Cabinet meets under a tent at State House as part of leadership compliance in the fight against Covid-19,” he said on his twitter handle.

“Members of Cabinet will sit at least a meter apart in a well ventilated venue as recommended by health experts.”

Charamba said the move was also meant to encourage local companies and businesses to adopt innovative ways to continue with their work while observing recommendations to keep their employees safe.

“Cabinet continues to show the way until the pandemic is defeated,” he said.

On Monday, the government announced a new raft of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including closing all borders to non-essential human traffic, banning gatherings of more than 50 people and closing social ammenities such as beer halls, night clubs and gymnasiums.

On top of that, President Mnangagwa also set up an 11 member Inter- Ministerial Task Force chaired by Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo to manage the country’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The task force is expected to raise awareness on the pandemic and mobilise domestic and international resources to adequately respond to the pandemic.

The pandemic, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, has so far claimed over 16 000 lives and infected more than 336 000 people throughout the world.
New Ziana