Govt Gazettes New Quarantine Regulations For Returnees
The government, through the Minister of Health and Child Care, has gazetted Statutory Instrument 119 of 2021 that makes it compulsory for people entering the country to be quarantined at their own expense for 10 days.
The new regulations stipulate that all people entering Zimbabwe must undergo a valid COVID-19 PCR test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe.
Even where returnees produce a COVID-19 free certificate, health authorities could decide to administer a PCR COVID-19 test to any person, at the test subject’s expense. SI 119 of 2021 reads in part:
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this order. for an indefinite period from the promulgation of this section, all persons entering Zimbabwe must undergo a valid COVID-19 PCR test not more than 48 hours from the time of their departure for Zimbabwe.
An enforcement officer may, at his or her discretion. administer at the test subject’s expense, a PCR COVID-19 test to any person entering or exiting Zimbabwe, including any person referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition of “persons entering Zimbabwe”.
People entering Zimbabwe without a valid PCR test and a certificate will be denied entry into the country.
Meanwhile, those with proof of a valid PCR negative certificate shall self-quarantine or in a hotel at their own expense for a period of ten days from the date of arrival in Zimbabwe.
