By Hamu Madzedze
Returning residents and foreigners coming into Zimbabwe will no longer be required to produce a COVID 19 PCR certificate upon arrival at the country's ports of entry.
In an interview with 365HealthDiaries, deputy minister for Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro said it is no longer mandatory for returning residents and foreigners to produce a COVID 19 PCR certificate as long as they are fully vaccinated.
"They will be required to show a valid vaccination certificate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID 19 with any one of the WHO-approved vaccines", said Dr Mangwiro.
He said a PCR certificate will only be required in the case of those returning residents and foreigners who are not fully vaccinated.
Dr Mangwiro added that this development comes after realising a decline in COVID 19 cases in the country and currently most of the cases being reported are now mild or have no symptoms at all.
The deputy minister highlighted that the recent development only applies upon arrival in Zimbabwe and in the case of Zimbabweans coming back home or travelling outside they will have to observe the regulations of that particular country they are coming from or visiting regarding the requirement of the COVID 19 PCR tests.
"Each country has its rules and regulations and as a country, we have come up with the decision that it's no longer mandatory to produce the PCR certificate upon arrival in Zimbabwe but this may differ with other countries ", said Dr Mangwiro.
Meanwhile according to a Cabinet report as of 28 March 2022, the country's COVID 19 cases stood at 245 927, with 237 295 recoveries and 5 438 deaths and the recovery rate is at 96%.
The number of new COVID -19 cases continues to decline and the number of cases in need of hospitalisation is also decreasing, with the country's bed occupancy rate also declining.
A total of 4 917 541 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, while 3 498 431 people have received their second dose, and 288 693 third doses have been administered to date.
Through the National Vaccination Blitz 481 005 doses have been administered between 21 and 25 March 2022.
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