Zim re-opens borders

Harare (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe government on Tuesday announced the re-opening, starting in December of the country’s land borders, initially to private passenger vehicles and pedestrians while assessment goes on for public transport.

Zimbabwe’s land borders have been closed to human traffic since March when the country entered into a Covid-19 lockdown.

With restrictions gradually being relaxed, land borders will now re-open following the recent resumption of international and domestic flights.

“Cabinet also resolved that the opening of border posts be phased, beginning with Beit-Bridge, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Forbes border posts,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

“These borders will open first to private passenger vehicles and pedestrian traffic as of 1st December 2020 while further assessment is being undertaken with regards to preparations for handling public passenger transport. Border operating hours are being fixed between 6 am and 6 pm until further assessment of the situation.”

She said curfew hours were also being extended beyond the current starting time of 2000 hrs to 2200 hours for the convenience of those who are cleared late at ports of entry.

Mutsvangwa also pleaded with Zimbabweans to avoid complacency as the disease was still raging.

“Cabinet would like to dispel the myth that coronavirus is weak in warm temperatures and warns that there is a risk of a second wave of Covid-19 infection if citizens become complacent,” she said.

New Ziana