admin1) Zimbabwe’s Response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak
Cabinet considered and approved a report on the country’s preparedness and response to the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19), which was presented by Honourable Vice President Mohadi, as Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on the Covid-19 Outbreak. Cabinet commended the general public for positively heeding the clarion call by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa to stay at their homes for 21 days with effect from March 30, 2020.
Cabinet also approved the establishment by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Covid-19 of eight Sub-Committees, namely: Implementation and Monitoring; Public Health Strategy and Infrastructure; Information and Communication; Materials Production; Food and Water Sustainability and Distribution; Law and Order; Resource Mobilisation and Coordination; and Logistics. These will ensure effective and efficient execution of the Task Force’s mandate.
Other notable achievements in Zimbabwe following the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation entail the following:
- a) the launch of a US$2,2 billion Domestic and Humanitarian Appeal for Assistance for the period from April 2020 to April 2021 by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa. Part of this will go towards the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic;
- b) the holding of advocacy meetings between His Excellency the President and traditional, religious and business leaders in order to solicit for their support in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. The meetings have resulted in religious leaders offering Government the use of their facilities such as hospitals, clinics, schools and churches, while the business community has shown willingness to partner Government by offering to renovate and refurbish some hospitals and other buildings into Covid-19 Isolation Centres; and
- c) the commitment by development partners to support Government and mobilise assistance towards recovery from the impacts of Cyclone Idai and the drought, as well as Covid-19;
In order to expedite the process of testing for Covid-19, Cabinet resolved as follows:
- a) that the setting up of testing, treatment and isolation centres in provinces and districts be expedited as a matter of urgency;
- b) that owing to the shortage of appropriate structures in some areas, tents will be used as temporary testing, treatment and isolation centres; and
- c) that the Ministry of Health and Child Care shall procure more rapid results test kits for the newly established testing centres.
2) Status Report for the Food and Water Sustainability Covid-19 Sub Committee
Cabinet was apprised by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Chairman of the Food and Water Sustainability Sub-Committee that three places of safety for the vulnerable and homeless children and families had been established, namely at Mt Hampden, Jamaica Inn, and Beatrice Rehabilitation Centre. Furthermore, Government was exploring options of reopening some hotels as Isolation Centres. In addition, where necessary, Covid-19 affected persons are being supported through provision of basic necessities.
3) Water Situation at Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba
After presentation by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement, Cabinet noted with satisfaction that the water flows in the Zambezi River had been improving significantly over the past weeks with the flows at Victoria Falls rising from 3 840 cubic meters per second on March 26, 2020, to 4 270 cubic metres per second as at April 2, 2020. Cabinet noted that the improved water levels would result in the Victoria Falls becoming more scenic and thereby attract more tourists. Also, this will result in increased water levels at the Kariba Dam, which bodes well for electricity supplies.
Online Reporter