Staff Reporter
Government has directed the reopening of all ports of entry and exit following the significant decline of COVID-19 infections.
This was revealed by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa during the 1st Post Cabinet Briefing for the year 2022.
“Cabinet resolved that, in view of the continued decline in new cases and deaths coupled with a declining testing positivity rate that is indicating that the community transmission has gone, down, all ports of entry be reopened but ensuring that all the recommended COVID-19 prevention measures are adhered to, and all persons entering Zimbabwe must have undergone a valid COVID-19 PCR test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe, and fully vaccinated. Those who have received a booster vaccine shot have an entry advantage,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa further cautioned on the country’s need to continue adhering to the WHO regulations and for the Ministry of Health and Child Care to identify and address challenges timeously.
“Despite the continued decline in the number of new cases and deaths reported per day, strict enforcement of all COVID-19 regulations coupled with strengthened risk communication on the pandemic must continue since the pandemic is not yet over.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care will also come up with vaccination targets per month for each province in order to ramp up vaccination as well as urgently identify and address any challenges in a timely fashion.
The move to reopen the country’s entry points has been welcomed by the majority of citizens whose livelihood depends on cross border trading.
Meanwhile the cumulative COVID-19 cases as at 14 February 2022 stood at 231 337, with 223 603 recoveries and 5374 deaths. The recovery rate was 96% with 2 892 active cases having been recorded.
