Must Read : Covid19 MEDIA BRIEF BY Minister Of Information Minister ,Monica Mutsvangwa

MEDIA BRIEF BY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES, HON MONICA MUTSVANGWA FOR 26 APRIL 2020

Good evening my fellow Zimbabweans,

It has been a trying time for all of us, as we have sought to adjust to the protective and preventative measures that curb the spread of the coronavirus. As our President, His Excellency ED Mnangagwa said to the nation when he announced the lockdown, that these measures would be drastic and would upset the daily routines of our lives.

However, we are a resilient people and we are all playing our part practicing preventative and protective behavior, working with implementation and enforcement agents, and working hand in hand with Government to ensure that the nation takes all necessary steps to prepare and respond to the pandemic.

This afternoon the National Taskforce met to carry out an evaluation of the country’s response and preparedness actions. It noted that 187 705 people had succumbed to the virus with another 2. 7 million people infected.

ISOLATION CENTRES

The identification of isolation centres across the country has been completed and work is at various stages to ensure that these medical facilities are ready to receive and handle severe and critical cases when the need arises. Isolation centres are located in administrative districts in the Provinces.

The training of medical personnel who will manage these facilities is also on going, and is tied to that of their counterparts at Provincial and District hospitals and clinics that form part of our frontline workers across the country.

QUARANTINE CENTRES  

We continue to receive returning residents on a daily basis and according to the lockdown regulations they have to be screened on arrival, quarantined and tested on Day 8 of this quarantine. And if found negative they will be released to continue self-isolation at home with full monitoring by health care authorities. At the end of the 21 days, they are subjected again to testing.

Yesterday 34 returning residents were tested and discharged at ZIPAM, of these seven had completed their 21 days mandatory quarantine, while 27 returnees had been quarantined for 14 days. These 27 will complete their quarantine in self-isolation at their homes and will be followed up by health officers in their respective Provinces. Presently we have 39 returnees at ZIPAM who will be screened and released once they have met the laid down requirements.

Today, five returning residents from Mozambique were quarantined at Rowa Training Centre, in Mutare Rural and in Victoria Falls, at Mosi Oa Tunya High School 45 returnees were yesterday placed under quarantine.

TOBACCO MARKETING SEASON

The 2020 Tobacco Marketing Season opens on Wednesday 29 April as announced by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Government is encouraging all stakeholders to follow the laid down guidelines in order to ensure safe and smooth transactions at the auction floors.

Self-discipline is for our safety and essential for our collective security as a nation. A month ago we had recorded 5 cases and today our figure stand at 31 cases, with two recoveries and four deaths. Let us do all we can to tighten our protective and preventative measures so that we curb the unnecessary loss of lives.

Government would like to acknowledge partners that include individuals, religious groups, corporates, donor organisations and others who continue to donate COVID19 related medications, chemicals and other materials that are required in response plan.

I THANK YOU

LETS CONTINUE TO STAY SAFE