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By Joyce Mukucha
In the quest to contain the spread of the Covid-19 new Omicron variant, the Government of Zimbabwe has put in place some additional measures which it said citizens ought to abide with.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing this Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the regulations contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 267 announced last week, will be strictly enforced.
“Cabinet received an update on the Country’s Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and a Report on the Procurement and Roll-Out of Vaccines, as presented by the Chairman of the Ministers National COVID-19 Committee, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.
“The nation is advised that, as of 6 November 2021, the country’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 141 601, with 128 966 recoveries and 4 713 deaths. The recovery rate was 93% with 7922 active cases having been reported. Cabinet notes, with concern, that there has been a sharp increase in the average total number of new cases reports per day during the past two weeks.
“Government, therefore, calls upon citizens to strictly observe the national and World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 protocols. The focus continues to be on preventing a 4th wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. Accordingly, Cabinet adopted the additional measures,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The government, she said, will be establishing vaccination sites at the main intra and inter-city bus termini, so as to ensure that those not vaccinated but wish to do so can have doses administered before they board the public transport.
Minister Mutsvangwa said people without valid vaccination cards will not be allowed to use public transport.
“Please note that there will be a time when people will not be allowed to board public transport without a valid vaccination card the Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on the vaccination blitz of the 16-to-17 year age group in schools.”
Regarding the national vaccination programme, Cabinet informed the nation that, as of 6 December 2021, a total of 3 882 255 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, while 2 892 366 people had received their second dose.
“The cumulative number of 1st and 2nd doses of vaccines administered during the week under review increased to 190 899 from the 148 980 administered the previous week, indicating that the total number of doses administered during the week had increased,” she said.
On the procurement of vaccines, it is advised that 1.25 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines were delivered on 6 December 2021, constituting the first batch of the 2.5 million doses procured.
The remaining 1.25 million vaccines of the Order are expected before the end of the week. The country is also expecting a donation of one million doses from the Peoples’s Republic of China.
“Government assures the citizenry that the country has adequate stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitisers, and medicines required for supportive management of COVID-19,” added Minister Mutsvangwa.