Harare (New Ziana)- Cabinet on Tuesday ordered treasury to urgently release ZW$368.2 million towards enforcement of the enhanced Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
Just like it’s neighbours, Zimbabwe is recording higher Covid-19 deaths and infections under a phase classified as the third wave of the pandemic.
On Monday alone, 33 people succumbed to Covid-19 while some 1 540 infections were also recorded.
At present, Zimbabwe has 12 697 active Covid-19 cases.
The worst affected provinces are Mashonaland West (2 114), Mashonaland Central (2 957); Harare Metropolitan (1 041) Mashonaland East (847), and Midlands (848).
In a post Cabinet brief, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said authorities were facing several challenges in enforcing level 4 of the national lockdown hence the need for more funding to go towards resources.
The challenges include inadequate Personnel Protective Equipment ; misinformation on vaccines about their alleged negative effects; and shortage of health care workers at some stations.
Some District Hospitals, such as Nyanga and Chipinge require bulk oxygen tanks, while some like Zvimba in Mashonaland West, Plumtree and Gwanda in Matabeleland South require functional Isolation Centres.
“Given the above challenges, Cabinet has directed that Treasury urgently releases the first tranche of ZW$368.2 million it had committed towards funding the enforcement of Level 4 lockdown measures. This will reinforce the current efforts of containing the spread of COVID-19,” she said.
Mutsvangwa added: “The nation is advised that the exemption mechanism which were used during the first lockdown in 2020 will be reactivated with immediate effect. Stiffer penalties will be imposed for violations of COVID-19 restrictions, including the withdrawal of business operating licences.”
While announcing the reintroduction of stiffer level four lockdown regulations last week, authorities cited complacency as the cause for the spike in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.
Mutsvangwa however said funerals had become major spreaders of Covid-19 within the Provinces.
“The Environmental Health Workers and Police are upping their game in the enforcement of the mandatory numbers. While Village Health Workers are playing their part in educating villagers, we implore traditional leaders to be more visible and forceful in the enforcement of lockdown regulations,” she said.
Turning to the country’s vaccination drive, Mutsvangwa said as at 4 July, 2021, a total of 795 171 people had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 569 091 their second dose across the country.
“The nation is advised that a total of 2 000 000 doses procured from the Peoples Republic of China are expected in the country by the 8th of July, 2021,” said Mutsvangwa.
New Ziana
