Following a spike of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, Cabinet is taking all measures meant to curb the spreading of the viral disease by urging the citizens to be alert and sticking to stipulated numbers of people at any gathering.
“Cabinet is advising citizens to maintain a high level of alertness and adhere to the preventive measures already in force. This includes during the impending 41st Independence Day Anniversary when gatherings of more than fifty persons will also be prohibited,” said Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvagwa in a post-Cabinet media briefing.
In a similar way which was adopted during Easter holidays to avoid cross-infection between boarding school students and the general public, Cabinet has resolved that boarders will remain at their schools during the Independence holiday.
“In order to protect learners during the forthcoming holiday and avoid the COVID-19 infection spike as happened over the Christmas and New Year holidays, Cabinet has directed that all learners at boarding schools remain at their respective schools during the Independence holiday in order to avoid travel congestion and minimize chances of contracting the virus. All school heads, without exception, are required to observe this directive, which is in the national interest,” said the Information Minister.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet applauded the COVID-19 surveillance employed at Sacred Heart by moving in quickly and testing both students and teachers and that the cases are all mild in nature.
“Cabinet noted that due to the strong COVID-19 surveillance system being implemented in schools, last week’s outbreak at Sacred Heart School in Umzingwane District of Matabeleland South Province was easily detected and dealt with. Out of the 248 students and 33 teachers tested, 117 were found to be COVID-19 positive. All the cases are mild, and are isolating at the school for the learners or at home for the teachers,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabwe experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases when schools opened last year for the third term and during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Therefore this time around the authorities are not leaving anything to chance.
