Zimbabwe’s cabinet has lifted restrictions on inter city travel as the country continues to gradually re-open the economy, a Cabinet minister said on Tuesday.
The re-opening follows a six month break as Zimbabwe joined the world in battling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zimbabwe has 7531 COVID-19 cases with 224 deaths to date.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister , Monica Mutsvangwa told a post Cabinet media briefing that the decision to approve the resumption of of inter-city travel was also meant to facilitate smooth movement of examination candidates, citizens and visitors.
“Transporters who wish to ferry passengers should register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to ensure that they strictly comply with Standard Operating Procedures for their sector which are compliant to the WHO guidelines and all COVID-19 regulations. In support of this service, the Vehicle Inspection Department should also resume its services.“ said Mutsvangwa.
Government also announced the re-opening of the Central Registry to allow the issuance of birth certificates and travel documents.
“ Cabinet has approved that the Central Registry should reopen and offer services, such as the issuance of births and death certificates, national registrations as well as passports.
“Measures are being put in place to ensure that operations at Central Registry offices which are usually characterized by overcrowding are in line with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and WHO protocols in order to curtail the transmission of COVID-19. Members of the public will be informed on the timelines for accessing the critical services,” she said.
Cabinet further authorised the partial reopening of the Department of Immigration, Client Service Centre for the purpose of processing short-term investor work and student permits, issue visas at ports of entry and resume enforcement operations through the Compliance Section.
“The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe will be opened to allow visitors access to National Monuments that include the National Heroes Acre and National History Museum.
“Cabinet reiterates that despite the measures taken today to further open up the economy, the threat from COVID-19 is still real and citizens should continue to religiously adhere to the COVID-19 containment measures,” said Mutsvangwa.