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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A total of 31 249 Zimbabweans among them cross border traders, students, and professionals have returned from other countries since the start of the lockdowns in March last year.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday said that the figures were cumulative of all ports of entries.
“The Beitbridge Border Post quarantine centre received 24 deportees, while Plumtree took in 40. This brings the number of returnees received through all ports of entry to 31 249 as at August 19, 2021.”
The largest number arrived by road from South Africa, eSwatini and Lesotho.
As of August 2, the Beitbridge transit, quarantine, and isolation centre had handled 18 969 returnees.
It is however, not verified how many Zimbabweans are in these countries although hundredss are there formally, as cross border traders and students.
Upon arrival in the country, the returnees are screened for Covid-19, others are quarantined while those who test positive are put into isolation.
They are then transported to their respective homes in Government-sponsored transport.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu