Restaurants offer premises as vaccination centres

Colin Moyo, Business Reporter
THE Restaurant Operators Association of Zimbabwe (ROAZ) has offered its membership’s premises as vaccination centres in a bid to increase the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines and help the country attain herd immunity.

In a statement, ROAZ president Mr Bongani Zamchiya said restaurants have been supporting the vaccination exercise with about 95 percent of their staff having been fully vaccinated.

“Together with the fact that restaurant premises are among the most hygienic and well-managed of all business operations, makes restaurant venues suitable for vaccination activities for the public and almost all of our members have the ability to provide such space in support of the national drive to increase the level of vaccinations among the public,” said Mr Zamchiya.

“We hope that on our part we will fully support all measures to contain and eradicate Covid-19. In addition, ROAZ members will assist with venues and with a measure of financial support for logistics and staff costs related to the vaccination programme.”

He said it was essential for restaurants to take measures in preventing further closure under the national lockdown regulations, noting that last year they were not allowed to operate as part of Government’s efforts of containing the pandemic.

“Moreover, we have for 20 months been either partially operational or closed, and it has been tough for the trade, but if we can be allowed to remain open for sit-in diners in situations of adherence to accepted international practices, then we can be sure that we can both maintain viability and help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

Mr Zamchiya said their members have continued to comply with the World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended Covid-19 protocols and further emphasized the need for the general public to adhere to these containment measures.

“We encourage active participation in the vaccination programme by all Zimbabweans, and if we can play a role in helping to facilitate that, we shall do so happily,” he said.