The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Government has warned the public to remain vigilant ahead of anticipated Easter Holiday travels and gatherings saying they should be alert to Covid-19 and cholera outbreak that has so far killed two people and infected dozens.
This year’s Easter Holiday is the first that will allow large gatherings since the outbreak of Covid-19 four years ago. It is expected that Christians will gather in their numbers for conferences, marches, crusades, and camp meetings around the country.
National Covid-19 Response Coordinator Dr Agnes Mahomva told Sunday News yesterday that safety must come first despite the lifting of some Covid-19 protocols.
“People are now allowed to gather as you know but as the Government, we are saying if you are going to be part of big Easter gatherings or any other gathering during this period and beyond, please mask up and maintain social distance wherever possible.
Covid-19
“We are also encouraging people who will be part of these large gatherings that they must be fully vaccinated. We are reaching out to the organisers of these gatherings and events that they should encourage their guests to be fully vaccinated as they come for these events,” said Dr Mahomva.
She said risk communication messaging from the Government through various ministries was for public safety.
“I must say that the information that people must vaccinate and mask up is for the public’s own good and benefit. We are encouraging them to protect themselves in such cases,” she said.
Dr Mahomva further said issues of vaccination, wearing face masks together with practicing hand hygiene were now the new normal that communities must be cognisant of at all times.
She also said the Government had scrapped the mandatory wearing of face masks but it was recommended.
“You are aware that the Cabinet removed the mandatory wearing of face masks recently but also said they recommend that one wears it for their own protection especially if they are in places where there is poor ventilation or large crowds. We also encourage the practice of social distancing whenever it is possible,” added Dr Mahomva.
The Government also issued a cholera warning where according to the latest Cholera Report, 12 new suspected cases of cholera were reported. Eleven laboratory cases were confirmed and six were reported in Beitbridge, three from Chegutu, one from Chimanimani and two from Mbire District.
As of 31 March 2023, 30 cases were hospitalised, 211 rapid tests were done, 53 of these tested positive for cholera and two recoveries were also reported. As of 31 March 2021, Zimbabwe has recorded 309 cases of suspected cholera, 52 were confirmed, 272 cases recovered and two deaths were recorded.
The country has 17 cholera hotspots districts which include Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, and Mazowe, among others. Open air worship churches have been encouraged to exercise hygiene and build ablution facilities to minimize open defecation.
Various local authorities in the country are on record urging them to find places with ablution facilities where they can hold their services.
Mr Itai Rusike, executive director, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) said the Government had been playing its role in putting in place several Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) to protect the public during holidays such as Easter and encouraged people to adhere to the messages.
This is mostly motivated by the fact that a lot of returning residents and some visitors travel back to Zimbabwe in large numbers with some coming from countries experiencing outbreaks of various diseases, especially Covid-19 which wreaked havoc throughout the world. – @NyembeziMu.
