The Sunday Mail
Norman Muchemwa
GOVERNMENT has suspended this year’s independence celebration and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) slated for Bulawayo next month as a way to curb the spread of the ravaging coronavirus (Covid-19).
The virus has infected over 163 000 people resulting in 6 610 deaths, across the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In his State of the Nation Address on coronavirus at State House Tuesday, the President said the decision to suspend the national events is meant to stop the spread of the virus.
He added that all resources that were supposed to go to the national events will be channelled towards preparing the country for Covid-19.
Further, Government also suspended all international sporting activities as well as gatherings of more than 100 people.
However, schools will remain open as they are left with only two weeks to closing day.
Said the President: “Today Government deliberated on this looming threat and has decided to take additional measures to ensure that our national response is effective, comprehensive and complete.
“Government has decided to postpone, curtail or cancel public events, gatherings and activities.
“In that respect, Government has postponed the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), all national independence celebrations previously planned and pending international sporting fixtures until the spread of coronavirus recedes.”
To that end, Government has declared Covid-19 a national disaster to help raise resources to fight the virus.
All hospitals and health facilities, he said, have been put on high alert for the virus. Testing kits and other important essentials to test the virus, he added, have been provided in health facilities to help curb its spread.
More well equipped isolation centres, President Mnangagwa said, are being created.
He thanked local and international partners for the support being rendered in preparation to fight the pandemic.
Government also took a decision that travellers from high-risk countries should suspend their travel to Zimbabwe for the next 30 days starting from March 20 while Zimbabweans intending to travel to high-risk countries must also do the same.
Screening and testing at the country’s main points of entry, the President added, have been heightened to help curb the spread of the virus. Covid-19 has reached Zimbabwe’s neighbour South Africa and another regional country Namibia.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has bemoaned the toll taken by Covid-19 on infrastructure development and tourism.
Projects like the new parliament building have stalled as over 100 technocrats who went back to China during their Luna New Year celebrations failed to return to Zimbabwe.
The tourism sector has not been spared either as tourist’s arrivals have dwindled due to travel restrictions imposed on many countries.
