Coronavirus: Zim officials barred from travelling outside Africa

ZTN Reporter

Zimbabwe Government officials will no longer be allowed to travel outside Africa, in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This was announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa while addressing a Zanu PF politburo meeting in the capital, Harare on Wednesday.

“I have now restricted travel outside Zimbabwe, in particular outside the continent. For those in Government, I have banned,” he said.

The President said ordinary citizens should limit travel outside the country to minimize exposure to the virus.

“I also appeal to Zimbabwean citizens to desist from traveling outside the continent.”

President Mnangagwa gave assurances that Zimbabwe is adequately prepared to handle possible cases of the virus.

Zimbabwe has so far dealt with two suspected cases of the virus after travellers entered the country from countries where there are confirmed cases. Both cases have since tested negative but the patients have been placed under strict surveillance.

Coronavirus first broke out in China late last year and has spread to other parts of the world.

Governments around the world are battling to contain the spread of the virus, although in China indications are that the transmission rate is slowing down.