Heed travel ban: CBTA

Sunday Mail Reporter

The Cross-Border Traders’ Association (CBTA) has discouraged its members from travelling outside the country for the next 60 days to avoid the spread of the coronavirus which has so far claimed over 11 000 lives across the world since its outbreak in December last year.

In an interview, the association’s president, Dr Killer Zivhu, said his organisation was on a countrywide awareness tour to educate its members about the spread and dangers of coronavirus to public health.

This was in response to President Mnangagwa’s call to avoid trips outside the country, especially to most affected countries.

“We were in Gweru and now we are travelling to Bulawayo to spread the message,” he said.

“The message is that let’s heed the President’s call and avoid travelling outside the country for the next two months.

“There will always be an opportunity to do business. A lot of people are leaving the country for cross-border trading and they are at risk of infection because sometimes they have to shop or sell in crowded places.”

According to Dr Zivhu, about 10 000 traders leave or enter the country every day, a situation he said was exposing the public to infection.

South Africa, which is the main destination for most traders, has recorded over 200 cases of coronavirus infections.