By Grace Chekai
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has taken heed of Government`s call to scale down its workforce to skeleton staff, in a bid to mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, ZIMRA Commissioner General Faith Mazani said ZIMRA was now encouraging clients to reduce physical visits to their offices as there would be skeletal staff as part of implementing Government`s call of reducing manning levels at work places.
“In line with the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency, (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa on the Coronavirus and measures the Government has taken, ZIMRA encourages clients to reduce physical visits to our offices,” said Mazani.
“In the interest of safeguarding employees, directed by the guidelines from World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Childcare, approaches and protocols implemented in other countries, ZIMRA has implemented measures to mitigate the likely impact and risks of this viral threat to operations and human life,” she added.
She added that ZIMRA staff had been provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitizers, received awareness communication and operational guidelines.
Stamping officers have also been provided with appropriate protective clothing during the processing of documents.
To that effect, Mazani revealed that ZIMRA had put in place its own surveillance team to monitor its employees in the event one gets infected, they will be quick to quarantine and alert relevant Health Officials.
As a mitigating measure against the spread of COVID-19 virus, clients are encouraged to access and utilise the available ZIMRA e-service facilities on www.efiling.zimra.co.zw or www.zimra.co.zw. This is done so as to reduce the risks associated with travelling or handling physical documents,” chronicled Mazani.
ZIMRA has encouraged clients to access services online through online registration, online Submission of Tax Returns (currently Income Tax, PAYE, Value Added Tax, and Capital Gains Tax), online verification and validation of existing Tax Clearances among others.
ZIMRA has also suspended all face to face meetings with clients and therefore encouraging electronic means of communication.
Financial and Banking institutions have also taken heed of Government`s call as they continue to close some of their branches and reduce working hours.
CABS, FBC, Stanbic and Standard Chartered Bank are also urging customers to use digital platforms so as to reduce physical contact in queues.
Nedbank has temporarily closed branches at Avondale, Borrowdale, Msasa, Victoria Falls and Kwekwe.
First Capital Bank has temporarily closed its Belmont branch (First Street) in Bulawayo, Harare Street and Borrowdale branches in Harare.
Zimpapers, the country`s biggest media institution, is in partial lockdown and has asked some of its workers to work from home, while others have proceeded to go on leave as part of the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
One of the largest beverage producer in the country, Delta Corporation has ordered some of its employees to work from home and some to take leave. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delta Pearson Gowero said that the company would review this position at the end of April.
The country has so far recorded three confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death.
