THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has issued an official warning statement to all travellers intending to visit the country in the wake of the prevailing Coronavirus (COVID-19).
By Michael Gwarisa
In a statement, health ministry permanent secretary, Dr Agnes Mahomva said the travel advice was a warning to to visitors who have been to countries with confirmed cases of the COVID-19.
As part of its efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 from affected countries, government hereby advises that as a country, we continue to be guided by and follow World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and advice on travel requirements.
“As such, all travellers from countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases are screened at ports of entry on arrival into Zimbabwe. Please note however that travellers arriving from countries with loal transmission of COVID-19 are in addition being to being screened, advised to self-quarantine for 21 days,” said Dr Mahomva.
Self-quarantine is whereby a person voluntarily stays at home and avoid situations that could facilitate the transmission of a diseases like in the case COVID-19. These include going to school or other crowded places as well as avoiding social gatherings, events where one meets many people.
On another note, a travel warning, travel alert, or travel advisory is an official warning statement issued by government agencies to provide information about the relative safety of travelling to or visiting one or more specific foreign countries or destinations
“On arrival, travellers with signs and symptoms suggested of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breadth) are immediately ferried to designated isolation centers such as Wilkins Hospital for further clinical management and assistance.”
Meanwhile, travellers from affected countries intending to come to Zimbabwe should delay or delay or avoid travel if they have a febrile illness illness. Government also advised that travellers from countries with local transmission should subject themselves to clinical screening by their medical practitioner before they travel in order to get a medical certificate that indicates that they are clear of signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
