By Monica Mutsvangwa
Cabinet further agreed that boarding school students should not travel to their homes for the Easter holidays as part of the strategy to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The learners should stay at their respective schools, given the congestion anticipated on public transport during holidays.
No parents are allowed to visit either.
Cabinet was informed that as at 26 March 2021, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases stood at 36 805, with 34 572 recoveries and 1 518 deaths. The recovery rate stood at 94%, with 35 081 cases being attributed to local transmission. Active cases were 715.
With regard to vaccines, Cabinet was informed that uptake of the Sinopharm vaccine has increased significantly, following the launch of Phase 2 by His Excellency the President in Victoria Falls on 24 March 2021.
Beneficiaries under this Phase include people with pre-existing chronic conditions, the elderly and those confined to settlements and institutions, such as prisons and refugee camps. Work on a civil service vaccination plan is underway.
Following the resumption of inter-city travel, Government is strengthening surveillance of the activities of public transporters to ensure adherence to COVID-19 regulations.
The general transport situation is also being reviewed for the commuting public following reports of many commuters relying on unconventional means of transport in the form of pick-up trucks and lorries.
As a way of guaranteeing the safety of all Zimbabweans, His Excellency the President will make the necessary pronouncements to guide the nation during the Easter and Independence holidays.
Cabinet noted with concern that some unscrupulous persons are producing fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
Investigations are underway in order to bring the culprits to book.
