“Adapt To The New Normal”: Justice Minister On Calls For Schools Closure
19 November 2020
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By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Health and Child Care has dismissed as false reports which say a learner at John Tallach High School in Matebeleland North died of Coronavirus.

Reports were made after it had emerged that 118 students and four teachers at the school tested positive for the coronavirus.

Commenting on death reports, the acting Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Munekayi Padingani urged members of the public to desist from spreading falsehoods.

Padingani said:

I heard that rumour.  I called people on the ground and they told me that it is not true. That is why as a country we are updating our Covid-19 statistics every day so that people are aware of what is happening to avoid these falsehoods. If there is a death, people will be informed through our daily ministry report. We are not going to hide anything.

Padingani’s remarks come after the school’s Development Committee (SDC) representative Mr Zibusiso Ncube yesterday appealed to members of the public to desist from sending unverified information which is causing panic to pupils, teachers and parents. Ncube said:

People are putting the head under unnecessary pressure. The affected kids have parents and some of the information is causing panic. The situation is under control and we are working closely with the Government officials to manage the outbreak. Members of the public should desist from spreading falsehoods regarding the situation at the school.

Meanwhile, Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa, on Wednesday called for the closure of schools saying they should not have been re-opened in the first place as the government was clearly not prepared to make learning institutions safe for both learners and teachers.

Responding to Mliswa, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said Zimbabwe needed to adapt to the new normal as it is not known when the virus is going to end.

He underscored the need to adhere to preventive measures such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

-statemedia