THE Zimbabwean government has maintained that the ban on unvaccinated church congregants was still effective despite the high court having recently ruled giving churches temporary relief under the belief that that it was no longer mandatory for church members to get jabbed in order to attend church.
By Michael Gwarisa
Briefing journalists during post cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monca Mutsvangwa said the risk of transmission was still high in paces of gathering and the church gatherings would not exceed 50% of the churches’ holding capacities.
Whilst all other gatherings shall not exceed 100 persons, with regards to churches, Cabinet has resolved that only vaccinated congregants can attend and should be limited to 50% of the holding capacity of the Church,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She added that Civil servants were also mandated to produce proof of vaccination before resuming work.
“Pursuant to the previous announcement that all civil servants should be vaccinated, Cabinet further resolved that no unvaccinated civil servants will be allowed to come to work. While Cabinet previously approved the resumption of low-risk sporting activities, it has further resolved that all sport codes can resume. Their operating hours have been adjusted to between 0600-2000 hours in order to accommodate the working population.”
She also said government appreciated the open communication that exists between Government and all stakeholders across the socio-economic stratum of Zimbabwe, and assured the nation that any member or group of persons may make representations to the Cabinet Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on COVID-19 on any related matters, but may not be members of the same.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has to date received a total of 10 860 000 doses of vaccine to date. The latest receipt was of 1 500 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine received between 10 and 12 September, 2021.
A further 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccine are is expected to be received today. The country also received 4 million syringes.
“As of 13 September, 2021, a total of 2 856 955 persons had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 1 894 780 had received the second dose. This translates to a national coverage of 33.4% and 21.9% for the first and second doses, respectively. Cabinet is concerned about the low uptake of the vaccine in Mashonaland Central and Chitungwiza Town and every effort is being made to encourage citizens to be vaccinated as this is for the good of us all.”
