By Christopher Makaza
Several companies have been forced to temporarily close branches after some of their workers tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 disease.
The country is currently experiencing a worrisome rise in cases of the pandemic with 1611 confirmed cases to-date, since the onset of the disease on 20 March 2020. Four hundred and seventy-two people had since recovered, whilst 25 have succumbed to the disease.
The rise in confirmed cases comes at a time when opposition parties are calling for an illegal nationwide demonstration on 31 July, breaching the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) temporarily closed its Head office after two of its workers tested positive for COVID-19.
In a letter dated 20 July 2020, the company`s Managing Director Engineer Tendai Kapumha confirmed the incident. “Premier Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) confirms that two back offices staff members working at its Harare office have tested positive for COVID-19. The staff members are in isolation and recovering at home…. As part of the precautionary measures, PSMAS Head office will be temporarily closed with immediate effect to allow disinfection of the building. Communication will be made once all the protocols for resumption of operations are in place,” reads part of the letter.
Financial institution, NMB also closed its Southerton branch on 19 July after one of its staff members who was last at work on Friday 10 July 2020 tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, a decision was made to temporarily close the branch from 20 July to 3 August 2020. The branch staff are undergoing tests and have proceeded on a 14-day self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
CIMAS Medical Aid Society has also released a press statement revealing that its High Glen Clinic has been closed temporarily following the exposure of one of its staff members to a confirmed case. CIMAS also revealed that 22 of its staff members tested positive to the disease.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, COVID-19 update, one hundred and thirty three cases tested positive for the virus yesterday. These include 17 returnees from South Africa and 116 local cases who are isolated. 22 of the local cases are contacts of known confirmed cases, while investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the other 94 cases.
Meanwhile, citizens continue to castigate the 31 July protests being organised by the opposition elements citing COVID-19 infection fears, amidst the spike in local transmissions.
“These intended demonstrations by the opposition are ill-timed and could expose hundreds of misguided Zimbabweans to COVID-19 infections. We call upon the Government to urgently review the lockdown and the preventative and protective measures to minimise the spread and transmission of the disease.
“These opposition elements should not be allowed to demonstrate on 31 July. People should respect the measures being taken by Government in trying to arrest the pandemic,” said a local vendor Mr Tirivashe Mutariri from Glen View.
