Zimbabwean Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa on Tuesday announced the government has lifted the requirement of a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate for passengers arriving in the country, reported CGTN Africa.
The decision was taken during a Tuesday cabinet meeting, as the Southern African country continues to report a decline in the number of new coronavirus cases.
Mutsvangwa said fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to produce ‘valid’ negative Covid-19 test results at any border post when entering Zimbabwe. They will only be required to show proof of vaccination. However, those who are yet to be vaccinated or those not yet fully vaccinated will need proof of a negative test result.
Previously travelers were required to produce a Covid-19 negative test result taken not more than 48 hours before arrival in Zimbabwe.
“This is in line with the decline in Covid-19 cases, most of which are now very mild, or have no symptoms, and increased vaccination coverage,” the Zimbabwean minister said.
She said that as Covid-19 has not been fully eradicated, the government continues to appeal to all Zimbabweans to continue adhering to the laid down World Health Organization (WHO) and national protocols at all times.
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 245,927 infections with over 5,430 fatalities. However, according to health experts, the figure may be higher because of undiagnosed or unreported cases. The country is continuing with its nationwide mass vaccination exercise as it seeks to protect the public from the virus.
Some 4,971,541 doses of vaccine had already been administered by Tuesday, including 3,498,431 second doses. The vaccination numbers are below the government’s initial target of 60% by the end of 2021. With this new campaign, the Zimbabwean government is aiming at a vaccination rate of 70% by the end of July.
Zimbabwe joins the list of several other African countries that have eased most Covid-19 containment measures recently.
