Good evening my fellow Zimbabweans
In the last week alone, we have lost seven Zimbabwean lives to this grim reaper, COVID19.This is a moment we all worked hard and prayed hard that it would not come, but it is here. My fellow Zimbabweans, we have to confront this reality that it will take you and I to keep ourselves safe.
The cumulative number of confirmed local transmission cases has exponentially risen from 286 to 791 only in one week. The majority of these cases are being recorded in Bulawayo and Harare, surpassing imported cases in the former.
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 COVID19. The reality is that as our infection cases increase our risk as a nation also increases. COVID19 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.
Today the National Taskforce on COVID19 met and received reports from its Subcommittees and also deliberated on the following matters:
• HEALTH STRATEGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The National Taskforce was informed that most COVID19 cases are asymptomatic and can 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.
The Taskforce also received a presentation on the distribution of local positive cases across the country which cannot be linked to an identifiable source. Once again, while these positive cases are dotted throughout the country, they are mostly concentrated in Bulawayo and Harare.
The Taskforce 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.
Additionally, following the recorded infection at the Chinhoyi University of Technology and in line with the guidelines for the re-opening of Universities and Colleges, The Taskforce resolved that the said institution undertake all necessary and sensible steps to close.
The Taskforce also received an update on the implementation of the World Health Organization Guidelines for Discharge of clients from isolation which has been implemented and this has decongested isolation and quarantine facilities.
• QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION CENTRES
The country continues to receive returning citizens and legal residents. Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is facilitating the transportation of returning Zimbabwean students from across the globe, through repatriation flights.
The Taskforce received reports of positive COVID19 returnees who are absconding from isolation facilities, thus endangering their families and communities. Members of the public are reminded that absconding from quarantine and isolation facilities is a level 12 offence under COVID19 regulations which may result in up to a year in prison.
• FOOD AND WATER DISTRIBUTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
The country remains under lockdown and as such Government continues to provide food to the vulnerable in our communities and also to those who have been severely economically affected by this lockdown. Government has released funds to 202 077 persons through cash transfers under the COVID19 informal sector relief fund. This fund is targeting 1 million beneficiaries and as of today, 20 July 2020, potential beneficiaries are encouraged to register at the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Clean and safe water remains a key element in the fight against COVID19.
With regards to borehole drilling, the Taskforce was informed that that China Aid has resumed borehole drilling in Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces with priority being given to schools. Relatedly, Treasury has released ZWL$20million to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for drilling boreholes in schools.
Meanwhile, one piped water scheme was completed during the course of the past week bringing the cumulative total to 34 (Harare 8, Mat South 13, Masvingo 3, Mash East 3, Manicaland 2, Mat North 3, Bulawayo 2).
• INTER-CITY TRAVEL
In light of Cabinet’s directive last week that “Government shall have the sole responsibility for inter-city travel for those that really require to travel”; the Taskforce was informed that with regards to the management of the provision of inter-city travel, CMED will facilitate the fuelling while ZUPCO will provide the buses as is done with urban transportation. Further, guidelines for the transport sector have been completed and are now being studied by Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure that they are in line with protocols that curb the spread and transmission of COVID19.
Conclusion
My fellow Zimbabweans, at the onset of this pandemic in Zimbabwe, His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa declared COVID19 a State of Disaster and said that “we either unite in fighting it or it will force us together in share grief. The choice is that stark and ours to make”. We have come to the point where each one of us has to make the correct choice to stand together in fighting COVID19.
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