Zim govt targets to cash in on compulsory USD60 payment at points of entry to all travellers
Own Correspondent
HARARE,Zimbabwe.(News of the South)- Zimbabwean government has announced a shocking USD60 compulsory payment for Covid-19 testing at points of entry to all inbound travellers.
“As a measure to guarantee the safety of travellers, Cabinet further resolved that in line with Statutory Instrument 216(5) Section 8, which requires travellers showing COVID-19 symptoms, whether or not they have a covid-19-free certificate to be tested, a nominal fee of US$60 be levied on travellers tested at ports of entry, and that the proceeds be used to replenish laboratory commodities,” said Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa.
Critics have blamed this move as it significantly increase travelling costs of citizens and government seems to aim to cash in from a boom of travellers during the festive season.
This is also likely to increase corruption and border jumping by returning citizens as people will be avoiding to pay the exorbitant compulsory testing fee.
Mutsvangwa has also announced that the resumption of international flights and the imminent re-opening of Victoria Falls International Airport on 1 October 2020, is well on course and that the assessments of other major airports has been completed.
Senator Mutsvangwa was speaking at the Post Cabinet media briefing today in the capital where she said the Ministry of Health and Child Care has held a special consultative meeting with all key stakeholders in the tourism industry to provide technical guidance on the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for the re-opening of the designated ports of entry.
“Metered taxi operations have been allowed to resume services to allow for the movement of tourists and citizens who are unable to use public transport.
“With regard to Law and Order, Cabinet advises that in response to its earlier decision to further ease lockdown restrictions, security personnel will he directing greaterattention towards the enforcement of critical COVID-19 containment measures such as physical distancing and the proper donning of face masks”, Sen Mutsvangwa explained.
Apart from the airport reopening , the Information Minister added that following the decision to allow for the phased reopening of schools, Cabinet noted that the dissemination of COVID-19 Standard Operational Procedures has laid the foundation for the establishment of Sentinel Surveillance Centres.
The centres will assist in monitoring adherence to COVID-19 protocols and promote a safe learning environment.
Meanwhile, every school has been linked to a specific health team. This strategy will ensure active Rapid Response at local level. Designated Temporary Isolation Holding Bays have been set up at each school for individuals requiring further.
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