Staff Reporter
Government has warned that the country is not yet out of the Covid 19 pandemic and has urged citizens to adhere to health regulations prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Briefing the media after yesterday’s 14th Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said Government had noted the increasing disregard of Covid 19 preventive measures by the general public.
“Government notes with concern the increasing disregard of Covid-19 preventive measures by the general public. Members of the public are urged to continue observing Covid-19 regulations and control measures, especially the wearing of face-masks in public, maintaining social distance and frequent sanitization. We are not yet out of danger!” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that buses and kombis that wanted to ply the country’s routes should register with ZUPCO if they wish to operate on the country’s roads.
“Law enforcement agents will continue to strengthen the enforcement of Covid-19 control measures and increase surveillance. Related to this, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (ZTSC) continue to enhance surveillance and enforcement in response to the upsurge of unregistered private kombis plying the country’s urban routes. Owners of these vehicles are called upon to register with ZUPCO if they wish to operate on the country’s roads,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister further said that drivers and crews of registered buses and kombis operating under the ZUPCO franchise should strictly adhere to road rules and regulations as well as Covid-19 guidelines in order to avoid unnecessary delays to the travelling public and brushes with the law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa informed that as of 10 May 2021, a total of 529 360 people had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine while 161 293 received their second dose across the country.
She said Government was urging members of the public to go to their nearest health facility to receive their Covid-19 vaccine so that the country achieves the required herd immunity to control the spread of the disease.
As at 10 May 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative Covid 9 cases stood at 38 433, with 36 208 recoveries and 1 576 deaths.
The recovery rate stands at 94.2%, with 95.5% of Covid-19-positive cases being attributable to local transmission. The number of active cases dropped to 649 from the 1 073 reported the last week.