Govt changes policy on Covid-19 quarantining

Harare, (New Ziana) – Government on Tuesday said citizens returning to the country would now be required to meet the costs of quarantining and isolation.

Previously, government provided the services to thousands of returning citizens as well as foreigners at designated quarantine centres.

“In order to ensure enforcement of Statutory Instrument No. 108 of 2021 in relation to the country’s ports of entry and exit, Cabinet wishes to advise that citizens returning to Zimbabwe will now be quarantined at their own expense,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet briefing.

“Furthermore, those travellers found to be positive for Covid-19 will be isolated at an isolation centre at their own expense.”

To avoid being quarantined, citizens are required to produce a Covid-19 negative test certificate that is less than two days old.

Zimbabwe, like the rest of the globe is still battling the pandemic and taking preventative measures to curtail its continued spread.

The country has since the second wave hit in January, seen a decrease in new cases in the past two months while vaccination is underway.

As of 16th May, 2021, 591 808 people had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and 222 450 their second dose across the country. “Members of the public are urged to go to their nearest health facility to receive their COVID-19 vaccine so that the country achieves the required herd immunity to control the spread of the disease,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
New Ziana