BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is facing a bleak festive after the government on Tuesday introduced new tough measures to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, which include mandatory 10-day quarantine for all visitors.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said visitors and returning residents will required to take PCR tests on arrival before quarantining at their own expense.
The detection of the new variant in Botswana and South Africa led to a ban on flights from southern Africa by several countries, including those in Africa.
“What raises our concern, and adds to our anxieties, is the outbreak of a new strain – Omicron – detected and reported in neighbouring countries only a few days ago” Mnangagwa said.
“We face a new, added risk, which compounds the burden we already face and shoulder from known variants we have been grappling since the outbreak of the pandemic (so) is in view of this new, ominous development that government has decided on new, enhanced measures to strengthen our national response, and to protect our nation from impact of a likely fourth wave, which the new variant, Omicron will most certainly aggravate,
“With immediate effect, all returning residents and visitors have to undergo PCR testing, and will be quarantined, at own cost, for days recommended by the World Health Organisation even if they present a negative PCR test result from elsewhere,”
Resort areas like Victoria Falls have been, since last year, charging a minimum fee of US$ 60 per night and per individual for quarantining at their facilities certified by health officials.
The tourism industry, which was beginning to show signs of recovery, will be the hardest hit by the measures as they are likely to lead to cancellation of bookings even by tourists from the region.
Zimbabwe’s tourism industry has borne the brunt of travel bans that were first imposed early last year following the outbreak of Covid-19 that began in China.
Mnangagwa also announced that the daily curfew would now be between 9PM to 6AM.
“Only essential services categories announced in previous gazettes stand exempt,” he revealed.
Shops will open for business from 7AM and close at 7PM.
On gatherings, Mnangagwa said citizens must observe and comply with WHO protocols such as masking, social distancing and sanitising.
“All Covid-19 related funerals will strictly be supervised by Ministry of Health and Child Care Environmental Health Officers and Technicians,” he said.
“No liquor will be consumed at bottle stores, which consequently cease to be drinking premises until further notice”.
Night clubs and bars will admit vaccinated clients only while restaurants are now required to close at 7PM.