By Grace Chekai
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality have said that they are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sector`s response to COVID-19 following the current outbreak of the disease.
Tweeting on their tweeter handle today, ZTA indicated that their board had met with the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Obadiah Moyo and the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative Dr Alex Gasasira where they discussed on the action being taken to prevent the spread of the disease and increase awareness on the epidemic, which has so far spread to over 76 countries mainly through travel.
“The meeting emphasised on uncompromised improvement on prevention, surveillance, monitoring, access to care, education and awareness.
“In addition to these, it was agreed that the tourism industry would set up a COVID-19 response committees at business level and to create awareness as well as take preventive measures of the same,” posted ZTA.
ZTA added that its Acting Chief Executive, Givemore Chidzidzi is fully committed to putting people’s well-being first.
“Cooperation is vital for ensuring the sector can effectively contribute to the containment of COVID-19. TBCZ and ZTA are working in close consultation with other state partners to assist in ensuring that health measures are implemented in ways recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said Chidzidzi
The TBCZ President also said that, “The ZTA, TBCZ and the entire tourism industry stand ready to work closely with all those communities and countries affected by the current health emergency, to build a better and more resilient sector,” she said.
ZTA emphasised that the tourism sector in Zimbabwe joins the United Nations World Tourism Organisations (UNWTO) and the international community in solidarity with affected countries.
The COVID -19 disease was first detected in Wuhan city, China. The number of people diagnosed with the virus now exceeds 106,000 worldwide with several new countries reporting their first cases and nearly 3 600 people have died.
On a positive note, Zimbabwe has not recorded confirmed reports of COVID-19 to date.
