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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE festive season is upon us, so is the increased threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic due to increased human movement.
In response, the Government has activated most Covid-19 surveillance mechanisms.
This year, there is an anticipation that the country is going to record increased inward and outward bound migration due to relaxed Covid-19 regulations.
Yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, who is also the head of Bulawayo’s Covid-19 taskforce, held an inter-ministerial meeting to assess the city’s preparedness to handle Covid-19 during the festive season.
Minister Moyo warned that the country was not out of the woods in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said President Mnangagwa directed ministers to visit provinces countrywide and ensure that the country is not caught off guard during the festive season.
“The President in November directed that all ministers be sent to provinces through the Vice-President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who chairs the committee on Covid-19. So, all of us were sent out to galvanise the people to say the pandemic is still with us,” he said.
“There are new variants that are coming into Zimbabwe. Our neighbours are experiencing some of these variants. Therefore, all the people of Zimbabwe should be prepared.”
Minister Moyo said Bulawayo is given special attention considering that it is home for most people in the Matabeleland region and its proximity to South Africa and Botswana and other places.
“It is important that Bulawayo becomes readier than other provinces and Bulawayo has always been ready. So, I’ve come in to urge the leadership here led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube, political parties as well as churches and civil society organisations in order for them to go out and make sure that all people are vaccinated,” said Minister Moyo.
“Coming to Bulawayo again, because of the threat that some of them might be chased away from South Africa in June next year, we want to prepare as much as possible because a lot of the people who are based in South Africa have some connection with Bulawayo. They might be coming from rural areas but they have a connection with Bulawayo. So, in terms of preparedness for Bulawayo is utmost in our minds and we came to discuss with leadership so that we may prepare.”
He said getting citizens vaccinated is top on the Government’s agenda and it is one of the best methods to prevent adverse effects of Covid-19 in the country.
Minister Moyo said the country has adequate Covid-19 vaccines to enable citizens to get jabbed thrice.
“Let’s vaccinate our people, all Bulawayo is doing well for now with 65 percent of the people having received the first dose. We think we should be higher than that,” said Minister Moyo.
He said yesterday’s meeting was also attended by school heads from Bulawayo as the Government wants more pupils to be vaccinated when schools reopen next month.
Minister Moyo said the Government wanted schools to share their Covid-19 strategies as some of them were doing well in vaccinating learners while others were not.
“There are some schools that are above 80 percent and in secondary school we expect every child because they are eligible for vaccination. Every child should be vaccinated although the figures were quite high, we expect 100 percent. In primary schools we are saying those who are 12 years and above should also get vaccinated,” said Minister Moyo. — nqotshili
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