by Grace Chekai
Government has commended the decrease in the cases of quarantine absconders, attributing the development to increased security at the quarantine centres.
Speaking at a media brief yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said, “The National Taskforce on Covid-19 noted that cases of quarantine absconders have gone down with seven returnees absconding last week.
“The decrease in the number of absconders is attributed to increased security at quarantine centres and implementation of the Cabinet Directive to withhold returnees` travel documents upon arrival at ports of entry.”
The Taskforce noted that presently active quarantine facilities under Government sponsorship across the country stand at 43, while there are 37 private quarantine centres with the majority being in Harare.
The Taskforce added that a total of 9 735 persons have been housed at these quarantine facilities, 6 801 have been discharged and the current enrolment is at 1 944.
Minister Mutsvangwa stated that “Government continues to enhance systems in order to better manage quarantine facilities and ensure the safety of both returnees and staff”.
She added that some of the returnees are failing to adhere to the COVID-19 protective measures.
“It has been noted that some returnees are failing to adhere to protective and preventative measures that have been put in place to curb in-house transmission.
“The purpose of quarantine centres is to screen all those who are coming from outside so that we contain the spread of the virus. Government urges returnees to be responsible citizens as they risk infecting each other if they do not adhere to the protective and preventative measures, within the quarantine facilities,” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa also urged Zimbabweans to be vigilant and adhere to protective measures which are “not suggestions, but requirements which have been put in place to prevent the spread and transmission of Covid-19”.
To date, the country has 512 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 417 are imported cases, mainly from South Africa, Botswana and the UK, while 72 are locally transmitted cases.
