Suburban
THE Government this week announced new Covid-19 regulations in the wake of the outbreak of a new variant, Omicron, in some parts of the world following its first detection in Botswana early last month.
What should make us heed Government call for adherence to the World Health Organisation protocols and measures put in place by local health authorities is the fact that the new variant has been detected at a time the festive season is upon us.
We all know the indiscipline or complacency that usually creeps into communities as people will be merry making in celebration of the festive season and the upcoming new season. It is incumbent upon all of us to help the Government, health authorities and law enforcement agencies to enforce the measures because they are necessary for our protection and the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, which has caused so much upheaval in the economic, social and political spheres the world over.
A good number of our families will be expecting returning loved ones, relatives, friends or even visitors from across the borders and overseas. We have noticed in the past that some of the returning residents or visitors try to evade being quarantined and have been assisted by their hosts or the workers at the quarantine centres. We plead with every Zimbabwean citizen to, please do the right thing, and help our country minimise the effects of this problematic pandemic. Government has said all returning residents and visitors will have to undergo PCR testing and be quarantined at their own cost for days recommended by the WHO even if they present negative PCR test results from elsewhere. The daily curfew which has been set to run between 6am and 9pm should also be adhered to limit unnecessary movements and transmission. Only essential service providers designated in previous Government gazettes are exempt.
Businesses are required to operate from 0700 hours to 1900 hours and there might be temptations to go beyond the stipulated time to maximise on festive season spending by customers. Let there be no such temptations. Drinking at bottle stores and other liquor selling retail outlets has been barred and operators of such businesses and their clients must take heed.
Careless behaviour is rampant at these drinking spots with most of these places not having ablution facilities and people relieve themselves in open spaces. Food is also sold at some of the bottle stores and the handling and cooking of the food is often not up to recommended standards and does not meet health requirements.
Bars and nightclubs can continue to admit clients but only those who are vaccinated should be allowed into such premises. Bar and nightclub operators have a crucial role to play in this regard because they have to ensure their clients are vaccinated.
These are pandemic times and sometimes we have to make up with losing some of our freedoms and privileges for the greater good. Funeral gatherings are potential super spreaders and we must stick to the recommended number of people allowed to gather. One scientifically proven way which can guarantee us returning to our normal daily routines remains vaccination and we urge Zimbabweans to get vaccinated in addition to social distancing, washing hands with soap under running water, sanitising hands and properly wearing face masks.
