The Cabinet resolved that it is no longer mandatory for a negative PCR certificate on arrival at ports of entry for both returning residents and visitors, this was announced by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa during a post Cabinet media briefing last Tuesday.
“Cabinet has resolved that returning residents and visitors are no longer required to present a negative PCR certificate on arrival at ports of entry,” Senator Mutsvangwa said.
Cabinet also stated that the only adequate certificate is the one that shows that the person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Only a valid vaccination certificate showing that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any one of the WHO-approved vaccines will suffice,” Honourable Mutsvangwa said.
The Cabinet also added that a returning resident or visitor that is not fully vaccinated is the one that is supposed to produce a negative PCR certificate at the port of entry.
“A negative PCR certificate will only be a requirement if the returning resident or visitor is not fully vaccinated,” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that cases of COVID-19 at schools were on the decrease and the vaccination of learners is in progress.
“The nation is also being informed that the total number of COVID-19 cases detected in schools is on the decrease, and the vaccination of learners is in progress across the country,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
Cabinet also stated that the number of cases in need of hospitalisation for COVID-19 continues to decrease as they are no admissions to the intensive care unit.
“The number of cases in need of Hospitalisation for COVID-19 continues to decrease, with the country’s bed occupancy rate declining to 1.3% during the week under review, from 2.3% the previous week. There were no admissions to the intensive care unit,” the Minister said.
As of 31 March 2022, the cumulative cases stood at 246 286 and the total recoveries stood at 238 276 and the recovery rate remains at 96%. The number of new COVID-19 cases decreased to 1 301 during the week under review, compared to the 2 004 recorded the previous week.
