by Patience Rashai

As part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s fight against the spread of COVID-19, Government has initiated screening for all employees and visitors entering Government offices, starting this Tuesday.

In view of the Corona virus scare, screening of visitors has since begun at the President’s Office.

“From this morning going forward, the Office of the President and Cabinet’s Munhumutapa Offices have started screening visitors for Coronavirus.

This precaution and first-line of defence is expected to extend to all Government Offices, with all sectors expected to follow suit,” said one Government official.

This is contrary to US’s proclamation that the Zimbabwean Government was not doing much to curb the spread of the virus, arguing that entry into the country remained the same as prior to announcement of the COVID-19 virus without any travel or consular restriction.

While there has been no confirmed cases of the virus with all suspects testing negative, Government has instituted screening checks based on World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations including thermal scans and review of travellers’ history.

Two hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo (Wilkins and Thorngrove respectively) have also been identified to handle and quarantine cases of suspected COVID-19, while Government has recommended protective clothing for workers in the hotel and tourism industry to protect them from potential infection from suspected cases.

Employees have welcomed this move with many urging Government to institute this precautionary measure with haste to other workplaces and especially schools where many converge for their daily routine.