by Innocent Mujeri

Cabinet has commended Zimbabweans for heeding the clarion call by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay at their homes to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) which has since claimed two lives in Zimbabwe.

Briefing the media yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet approved a report on Zimbabwe’s preparedness and response to COVID-19 and also commended the general public for observing the 21-day lockdown announced by President Mnangagwa on 27 March this year.

“Cabinet considered and approved a report on the country’s preparedness and response to the Corona Virus outbreak (COVID 19), which was presented by Honourable Vice President (Kembo) Mohadi as Chairman of the Inter -Ministerial Task Force on the COVID-19 outbreak. Cabinet commended the general public for positively heeding the clarion call by His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa to stay at their homes for 21 days with effect from 30 March 2020,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

For the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce to effectively and efficiently execute its mandate, Cabinet also okayed the establishment of Eight Sub-Committees namely; Implementation and Monitoring, Public Health strategy and Infrastructure, Information and Communication as well as Materials production.

Other Sub-Committees are Food and Water sustainability and distribution, Law and Order, Resource mobilisation and coordination as well as Logistics.

The Sub-Committees would, among other things, ensure the setting up of more testing, treatment and isolation centres across the country as a matter of urgency.

Owing to the shortages of appropriate structures  in some areas, the Taskforce would ensure that  tents are used instead.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care was tasked to procure more rapid tests results kits for the newly established centres.

The Tenth Cabinet sitting also noted that the country has maximised efforts in a bid to curb the COVID-19 pandemic before it affects many people.

To date, the country has launched a USD2,2 billion domestic and humanitarian appeal for assistance for the period of April 2020 to April 2021. Part of the funds will be channelled towards the containment of COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Mutsvangwa further said President Mnangagwa had since held several meetings with leaders from traditional, religious and business sectors to solicit for their support in the fight against the spread of the virus.

The meetings were fruitful as some religious leaders have offered the Government their facilities such as hospitals, clinics, schools and churches to use as isolation centres.

The business community has also partnered Government and offered to renovate and refurbish some hospitals so that they can meet the international standards of isolation centres.

Cabinet also noted and applauded the commitment by development partners to support Government and mobilise assistance towards recovery from the impacts of Cyclone Idai and drought as well as COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Government has to date established three places namely Mt Hampden, Jamaica Inn and Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre for the vulnerable and homeless children as well as families.

Government is in the process of exploring options of reopening some hotels as isolation centres for COVID-19.

COVID-19 has been declared a world wide pandemic by the World Health Organisation and it has claimed over 70 000 lives to date and counting, across the globe.

In Zimbabwe, 11 people were diagnosed with the disease and two of them have since succumbed to the disease.