The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWEANS must take additional precautionary measures and limit the number of people attending public gatherings to help curb the spread of Covid-19 this festive season, a senior Government official has said.
In an interview, chief coordinator of the national response to Covid-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva said the coronavirus remains present in communities and people should adhere to recommended preventative protocols such wearing masks in public places.
Covid-19 has claimed 13 lives this month.
Dr Mahomva said authorities will intensify the Covid-19 vaccination programme during the holidays to expedite the attainment of head immunity.
“With the festive season upon us, we continue to emphasise the importance of adhering to measures that we have always spoken about since the pandemic began,” she said.
“We need to make sure that we stay away from big gatherings; and if one has to attend then have your mask on and be vaccinated.
“In addition, we urge you to take your relatives and friends for vaccination, if they are yet to be vaccinated.”
She said people must continue observing social distancing, especially when they are in crowded supermarkets doing Christmas shopping.
“We are concerned that people have now relaxed.
“Some shops are no longer enforcing the wearing of masks.
Covid-19
“We will have teams on the ground during the festive season to encourage people visiting clinics and hospitals to be screened and get vaccinated against Covid-19.”
Addressing last week’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Government will deploy teams to all provinces to encourage vaccination.
“In light of the upcoming festive season, Cabinet resolved on the following strategies in order to ensure that the pandemic is kept under check: that provincial teams strengthen their vaccination programme to protect citizens from severe disease and from death,” she said.
“That communities and individuals remain vigilant during this festive season and continue to protect themselves by getting fully vaccinated; washing hands with soap and running water; sanitizing hands frequently; social distancing and avoiding crowded gatherings; wearing face masks properly in public transport vehicles; and indoor gatherings.”
Currently 58 percent of all Zimbabweans who qualify to be vaccinated have received their first dose.
As of last week a total of 6 583 136 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 950 956 people had received their second dose, and 1 274 040 a third dose.
