President Emmerson Mnangagwa has banned his cabinet members and government officials from travelling outside the continent to minimize exposure to coronavirus.
Mnangagwa has also stopped his globetrotting escapades due to the deadly disease.
Addressing his party Politburo meeting in Harare this morning, Mnangagwa said the Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with associated departments are adequately prepared to handle any possible cases of COVID-19.
“I have now restricted travelling outside the country in particular outside the continent. We will continue to urge our people to minimise the risk of exposure. For those in Government, I have banned foreign travelling. I also appeal to Zimbabweans to minimise travelling outside the country,” he said.
President Mnangagwa’s sentiments come when Zimbabwe has announced that people visiting the country from areas affected by coronavirus (Covid-19) without valid medical certificates showing they are negative will be sent back at the port of entry.
More than 3 000 people have succumbed to coronavirus following the first outbreak recorded in the Chinese City of Wuhan in Hubei Province. Over 6 000 people have been screened of the virus at ports of entry, mainly Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Victoria Falls international airports.
President Mnangagwa also ordered the government and the party’s departments to ensure implementation of programs promised in the party’s manifesto during the 2018 election campaigns.
He said that he expects the various departments to produce results on the progress made and highlighting where projects lag behind for intervention strategies to be proffered.
“Each department of the party must ensure our progress in the implementation of programmes laid therein. We expect reports highlighting concrete milestones achieved to date. Those targets, within the Manifesto, that are lagging behind must be highlighted and intervention strategies proffered. The party must deliver its promises.” he said.
President Mnangagwa also assured the public that the government is ensuring adequate grain imports to guarantee food security. He said a coupon system is soon to be rolled out. He also appealed to stakeholders to desist from corruption in distributing and selling mealie meal.