Zim delays opening schools

Harare (New Ziana)-The opening of schools has been delayed by a fortnight, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said on Tuesday.

Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing, Mutsvangwa said the delay was necessitated by the rise in COVID-19 cases countrywide.

The surge is attributable to complacency in adhering to the set COVID-19 preventive and precautionary measures both in the communities and at workplaces.

“The Nation is informed that Cabinet has approved that the re-opening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Govt will be monitoring the situation and and a review will be made after two weeks,” she said.

The second schooling term was supposed to begin on June 28.

The surge in COVID-19 cases reported the previous week continued, with a total of 1 239 cases recorded during the period under review, compared to 544 reported the previous week, translating to a 127 percent increase.

As at 21 June, 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 41 449, with 37 184 recoveries and 1 672 deaths.

Also in a bid to contain COVID-19 cases, government placed Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Mount Darwin and Bulawayo under lockdown.

“Cabinet further approved the localized lockdown in the following hotspot areas : – in Mashonaland West Karoi; Makonde; Chinhoyi; Mhangura; Chidamwoyo; Magunje; Chirundu; in Bulawayo Nkulumane(Bulawayo); Emakhandeni and Northern Surburbs in Mashonaland Central Mount Darwin and in Masvingo, Chiredzi,” said Mutsvangwa.

New Ziana