Harare (New Ziana)- Government on Monday said citizens must take greater preventative measures against COVID-19, as the country’s pandemic is now localized.
Briefing media on the deliberations of the National Covid-19 Taskforce , Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said it remained everyone’s responsibility to protect oneself from catching or transmitting Covid-19.
“The country has seen an evolution of the COVID19 virus transmission scenario from sporadic cases mostly imported, to cluster cases and now local transmission cases. The virus is now in our communities, local transmissions now account for the majority of new cases.
“What this means is that we have to take greater precautionary and preventative measures in our day to day activities . For months we have been talking about adhering to protective and preventative measures, we have had a total lockdown which has been gradually relaxed to where we are today. A key issue that has been constant in all this is that each and every one of us has a responsibility to ensure that we protect ourselves and those around us from catching or transmitting COVID19,” she said.
She added: “The facts on the ground are that community transmissions are on the rise, let us not be complacent, but continue to adhere to protective and preventative measures. My fellow Zimbabweans, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Let us adopt and live under this new normal.”
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 7 116 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 208 deaths and 5 373 recoveries.
Mutsvangwa said as part of efforts to combat and respond to the COVID19 pandemic, Government has adopted a deliberate policy for innovation and import substitution.
“As a result of this push, Zimbabwe’s tertiary institutions and local companies have been producing various personal protective equipment , drugs and other medical sundries which are crucial to the fight against COVID19.
“ZLG, a local company has diversified and is now manufacturing 40 000 surgical face masks per day which have been certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. These masks are 50 percent cheaper than the imported variety,” she said.
The taskforce also received an update on preparations for the re-opening of schools for Cambridge and ZIMSEC examinations.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is in the process of procuring protective and preventative materials. “Additionally, modalities are being put in place so that ZUPCO has an adequate fleet to ferry learners and teachers to their respective faculties,” said Mutsvangwa.
New Ziana
