adminAndile Tshuma and Michell Zvanyanya
CABINET is set to decide tomorrow on the fate of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and Independence Day celebrations at a time the leadership of host city for both events, Bulawayo, has called for a suspension of all public gatherings, amid Covid-19 threats.
Zimbabwe has no confirmed cases of Covid-19 yet, although more than 9 700 people who entered the country as of last Friday have been placed under surveillance for the virus.
So far, Government has cancelled a high-level conference organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that was scheduled for Victoria Falls later this month.
On Tuesday, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) postponed the 57th Committee of Sadc Stock Exchange (CoSSE) meeting and Second Broker’s Networking Session that was scheduled for this week in Victoria Falls due to coronavirus fears.
Celebrations to mark Women’s Day organised by the Ministry of Women Affair, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development set for Harare today have also been shelved.
Speaking in a telephone interview yesterday, Bulawayo mayor Solomon Mguni said while the upcoming Independence Day celebrations and ZITF were important for the city and the country, the health of citizens had to take precedence.
He said the country had a lot to learn from countries such as the United States, China, and Italy which are on lockdown to stem Covid-19.
He said BCC was still awaiting a report from the city’s Health Services Department for advice on the way forward and assessment of the city’s preparedness to host the ZITF and independence celebrations in light of the Covid-19 threat.
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo said in an interview yesterday that a decision would be made tomorrow on Bulawayo’s hosting of independence celebrations and ZITF.
“Let’s wait until Tuesday, that is the time when a decision will be made at the higher level on the hosting of the big events,” he said. “Until then, members of the public must continue to heed calls from the ministry to adhere to high standards of hygiene, avoid unnecessary travel, stay safe, and report to health facilities if not feeling well.”
In a statement, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said the travellers will be continuously monitored for up to 21 days as per protocol.
Dr Mahomva said the two suspected cases of coronavirus which were reported at Mpilo Central Hospital and the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) last week came out negative as they did not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of a suspected case.
Online Reporter