Staff Reporter
Individuals who received three doses of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended vaccines are now exempted from wearing face masks in public spaces.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services Monica Mutsvangwa today announced in a Post Cabinet Briefing that owing to the significant decrease in COVID-19 cases, those who have been fully vaccinated are now exempted from wearing face masks in public spaces and must carry their vaccination cards at all times. However, Minister Mutsvangwa said they should wear their face masks in indoor public spaces.
“Noting the significant decrease in COVID-19 cases Cabinet resolved as follows, those who have been fully vaccinated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended vaccines are now exempted from mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor public places but should however wear face masks in indoor public places and on public transport. Those who are fully vaccinated should carry their vaccination cards all the time,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases were 256 561 as of 15 August 2022 with 250 733 recoveries and 5 588 deaths. The country has managed to maintain a recovery rate was 98% with a paltry 240 active cases. The overall number of new COVID-19 cases has decreased by 46% as 57 cases were recorded this week compared to 105 recorded the previous week. An average of 8 new cases was reported per day compared to 15 the previous week.
New admissions remain at 13 just like last week. Minister Mutsvangwa said the pandemic continued to be brought under control in most provinces except Midlands Province which had recorded a slight increase in new cases over the past 14 days.
As at 15 August 2022 a total of 6 390 545 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered while 4 752 575 people had received the second dose and 959 909 the third dose. Routine vaccination activities are continuing at all health facilities.
Minister Mutsvangwa also said Monkeypox remained a global concern and that according to WHO global epidemiological situation report of 11 August 2022, a total of 32 960 cases and 12 deaths have been reported from 91 countries since May 2022. Transmission continues to increase in countries that have not previously reported Monkeypox cases. Minister also advised that Zimbabwe has not yet recorded its first case but the public should remain vigilant and conscious for any cases of the disease.
