Xolisani Ncube
Government has postponed the re-opening of schools which was set for July 28 due to a rise in covid-19 cases.
The move comes as authorities have also indicated that a tighter lockdown was being introduced to fight the respiratory virus that has so far infected 1000 people and clamed 19 lives.
Addressing a post cabinet press briefing, Monica Mutsvagwa, the Information minister said the re-opening of schools was deffered as the country was battling to contain the coronavirus and no future re-opening of the economy would be considered until the infectious rate was contained.
“The president (Emmerson Mnangagwa) will soon be inssueing a detailed response to the increase in covid-19 and government response,” Mutsvagwa said.
As an immediate action plan, all inter-city travel had been banned and school re-opening shelved. Also government was indentifyig hotspot where focused measures would be implemented.
In March, Zimbabwe went into a total lockdown for more than five weeks in a bid to contain the virus. But due to economic pressure, government had to relax the measures. But of late, the infectious rate has increased.
Acting Health Minister Amon Murwira said the tough measures could see certain movements banned and this could include home visits.
“If we were tough, we are now going to be tougher. If we were tougher, we are now taking extreme measures so that we contain the curve,” Murwira said.
Turning to the ailing health system, government said it had met with health workers to discuss their welfare as well as implement reforms that could help turn around public health institutions .
