#JUSTIN: Lancet Sets Up Lab At Vic Falls Airport To Test Visitors

LANCET Clinical Laboratories has established a laboratory at the Victoria Falls Airport with the aim of testing arriving tourists and the visiting public to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

By Michael Gwarisa

Briefing Journalists  during a Post Cabinet briefing, Information, publicity and broadcasting service, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the move was part of  measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 following the easing of lockdown restrictions which have also seen restrictions on both inbound and outbound international travel being lifted.

With regard to laboratory facilities, Cabinet noted that Lancet Laboratories commissioned its laboratory at Victoria Falls International Airport, and pledges to deliver PCR results within 2 hours for both arriving and departing travellers.

“The Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airports have similar private and public testing facilities. The Task Force will be dispatching teams to the country’s land and air ports of entry to assess their readiness in handling the large numbers associated with the complete opening up of the country to domestic and international flights,” said minister Mutsvangwa.

She added that Cabinet received an update report on the country’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which the Minister of Defence and War Veterans presented as Chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force.

“Cabinet was informed that as of 2 October 2020, Zimbabwe’s cumulative cases of COVID-19 stood at 7 858, with 6 322 recoveries and 228 deaths. Six thousand four hundred and eighty-four (6 484) of the cases are local transmissions. There were 50 new cases in week 39, compared to the 174 cases recorded in week 38.”

With regard to the re-opening of schools, minister Mutsvangwa said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was monitoring the situation and updating the Public Service Commission daily, while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing National Joint Negotiating Council talks.

“Priority training of teaching and non-teaching staff on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control measures for Phase 1 is underway in all the Provinces, while logistical arrangements for Phase 2 staff training are being organised.

“Noting the concerns and anxieties expressed by learners, their parents/guardians, as well as teachers, on the limited lesson time before public examinations, the Ministry has come up with guidelines to ensure effective care and support for both teaching and learning, effective catch-up learning, remedial teaching, and preparations for examinations.”

Regarding International travel, Cabinet explained that citizens can travel outside the country as long as they meet the requirements of the receiving Country

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