AT least nine Zimbabwe Passengers Company (ZUPCO) employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
By Michael Gwarisa
This was confirmed in statement by the company’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Evaristo Madangwa who indicated that majority of the employees who had tested were from the cash office.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) conducted a screening at Willovale Depot on July, 29, 2020. Nine ZUPCO employees most of them from the Cash Office were unfortunately found to be COVID-19 positive.
“One other employee at Belvedare Head Office has also tested positive. The usual procedures by the MoHCC have been taken. Testing will continue to cover other staff,” said Mr Madangwa.
He added that the company would adhere to regulations and requirements of managing the COVID-19 disease to curb further spread.
“It is worthwhile to note that ZUPCO continues to spray/disinfect each bus/omnibus daily. We shall ensure temperature checks, hand sanitisation and wearing of masks by both passengers and crews are enforced. All efforts are underway to ensure continuity of services by ZUPCO.”
Meanwhile, the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) recently raised concern over the lack of sanitisation and cleanliness in the ZUPCO buses a situation they said would expose passengers to COVID-19.
“Inside Zupco Buses there is too much dirt and what are we saying about Covid-19. Zupco please keep our buses clean and disinfected from Covid-19,” said PAZ president Mr Tafadzwa Goliati.
He added that the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) and PAZ had taken ZUPCO to court over in a bid to disband the monopoly and allow other private players to come through so as to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
