Zimbabwe’s Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu, said the government will soon amend regulations that require foreign visitors and non-residents without a valid PCR test to self-quarantine for 10 days.
This comes after players in the tourism industry have raised concern over potential tourist booking cancellations due to current COVID-19 quarantine regulations.
Speaking to tourism players during a recent joint meeting, which was also attended by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in Harare, Minister Ndlovu said:
There will be some adjustment to the quarantine regime. It will be only those people coming from high-risk countries or transiting through high-risk countries into the country who would be subjected to the 10-day mandatory quarantine regime.
So, otherwise you will just need your valid 48-hour PCR test report before departure for Zimbabwe. And when you depart for Zimbabwe, you don’t go through any other country, that is to say, you don’t get your passport stamped en route, otherwise, that is when we start counting our 48 hours.
There has been an outcry on this. Some have been saying they’ve received cancellations and I hope this clarifies the matter. The SI will reflect this and it will come out in the next few days.
The joint talks with tourism players were meant to address issues affecting the sector.
Also in attendance were senior Government officials that include Zimbabwe Tourism Authority acting chief executive, Givemore Chidzidzi, Treasury secretary George Guvamatanga and his tourism counterpart, Munesu Munodawafa, Tourism Business Council president Wengai Nhau and other industry representatives.