by Grace Chekai
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has urged citizens to adhere to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines in the fight against the deadly and highly infectious Coronavirus which has so far infected 14.7 million lives and killed 610 000 people globally.
Speaking at a media brief yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said, “The National Taskforce was informed that most COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic and could be isolated at home or in isolation facilities.
“The Taskforce emphasized that, to curtail further transmissions, those isolating at home should adhere to the set conditions and measures agreed with the health authorities. Measures are being put in place to penalize those who flout isolation regulations.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said seven (7) Zimbabwean lives were lost in the last week alone. She said in order to keep ourselves safe from this invisible enemy, Zimbabweans must confront the reality that the virus can take either one of us.
“Zimbabwe, we cannot afford to be complacent neither can we continue to put our lives at risk on the hope that somehow we can escape COVID-19.The reality is that as our infection cases increase, our risk as a nation also increases.
“COVID-19 is now in our communities and we cannot ignore or run away from that fact. Our only hope is to stop being adventurous and comply with the preventative and protective measures,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the COVID-19 cases across the country were not linked to any identifiable source and that most of these infections were concentrated in Bulawayo and Harare.
She said that due to the rise of COVID-19 infections, the Taskforce had directed that only those civil servants who were approved by the Public Service Commission to provide essential service should report for work, with the rest remaining in lockdown.
Minister Mutsvangwa warned members of the public who were absconding from quarantine and isolation facilities that they were committing a level 12 offence under COVID-19 regulations, which may result in up to a year in prison.
She informed the nation that the country remained under lockdown and as such Government continues to provide food to the vulnerable in communities and also to those who have been severely economically affected by this lockdown.
To date, Zimbabwe has recorded 1 713 COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths.
