1. Zimbabwe’s Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Cabinet considered and adopted a report on the country’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, which was presented by Honourable Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi, as Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19. Cabinet noted the increase in the total number of COVID-19 tests hitherto conducted. These had risen from 13 329 as at 5 May 2020 to 23 096 as at 10 May, 2020. The country has to date recorded thirty-seven (37) COVID-19 confirmed cases, inclusive of twelve (12) recoveries and four (4) deaths.

Government remains cautiously optimistic that the low rate of deaths and infections that the country has registered to date remains stagnant. The country should not take this apparent low rate as a sign to be complacent about, but should continue with a unity of purpose and determination exhibited this far. Cabinet notes that currently, there is no vaccine or cure for COVID-19, and the most effective weapons against the pandemic are prevention and mitigation. To this end, all citizens are encouraged to wear face masks properly, practice good hygiene, and other protective measures.

With regard to the situation where companies are experiencing difficulties in accessing Rapid Results Test kits for testing their employees in compliance with the requirements of Statutory Instruments 99 and 103 of 2020, Cabinet reiterated that pending the acquisition of the requisite test kits, companies should in the interim be allowed to open, subject to adherence to the following conditions in relation to their employees:

1. a) hand sanitisation upon entry to work places;
2. b) temperature tests on entry to premises;
3. c) mandatory and appropriate donning of face masks; and
4. d) enforcement of social distancing at the work places.

In the event that an employee manifests a body temperature which is above that which the Ministry of Health and Child Care considers safe, such employee shall not be admitted to the work place, but shall immediately be referred to a facility of the Ministry of Health and Child Care for a Rapid Result Test.

In the event that the employee tests positive, the affected employee will be referred to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

This notwithstanding, and for the avoidance of doubt, companies shall remain obliged to subject all their employees to the Rapid Results Test as soon as reasonably possible during the period of the duration of the COVID-19 virus as a formidable epidemic disease by the Minister of Health and Child Care. Cabinet also stressed the need for all businesses to ensure that workspaces are continuously disinfected in line with the requirements by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

As at 11 May 2020 notable progress registered in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic include the following:

• release by Treasury of ZW$27,54 million to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the District Development Fund (DDF) for countrywide borehole drilling and rehabilitation;
• establishment of fully functional quarantine centres at all ports of entry, with a total of 3 611 returning residents having been compulsorily quarantined as at 11 May 2020;
• screening of all returnees by law enforcement agencies to weed out convicts and those that committed crimes before they crossed borders to neighbouring countries;
• the establishment of a COVID-19 Command Centre headed by the Civil Protection Unit at Crisis Centre, Makombe Building to direct and coordinate all COVID-19 operations therefrom.

The Command Centre, which will be operational on a 24-hour basis, will be guided by the following Terms of Reference:

1. i) to have regular interface with Sub-Committees of the Ad-hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on COVID-19 with a view to enhancing implementation of programmes;
2. ii) to ensure effective coordination of COVID-19 operations that involve various agents of Government and other stakeholders;

iii) to establish and implement an effective communication system for enhanced COVID-19 operations;

1. iv) to develop and implement a robust logistics framework for all COVID-19 operations;
2. v) to analyse reports and prioritise interventions;
3. vi) to identify hotspots and troubleshoot on emerging COVID-19 issues;

vii) to monitor and evaluate COVID-19 processes and programmes;

viii) to give feedback and advice to the structures of the Ad-hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force based on experiences of the Command Centre; and

1. ix) to compile and submit daily and Ad-hoc reports.

Cabinet notes with concern the mushrooming of briefcase companies which are being involved in the tendering process for COVID-19 supplies. Government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that such unscrupulous business elements are sifted out.

In view of the fore-stated, Cabinet resolved as follows:

1. a) that a Risk Based Approach testing for the workforce in Industry and Commerce and other sectors of the economy be conducted and comprehensive package of preventative interventions maintained;
2. b) that PCR testing be administered on those who need it and based on proper sampling;
3. c) that funds be availed for the procurement of hydro-geological survey equipment for ZINWA and DDF;
4. d) that the Metropolitan Cities be capacitated financially to enable them to provide adequate water supplies to residents during the COVID-19 period and beyond;
5. e) that the returnees who offer to pay for themselves be allowed to do so on condition that the facility is secure and subject to inspection by health and security officials; and
6. f) that reputable and established companies be contracted to supply COVID-19 materials.
7. Sesame Seed Production and Promotion Programme for 2020/21

Cabinet also underscored the need to continuously improve the conditions of service of the health sector so as to minimize their exposure to COVID-19.

2. Sesame Seed Production and Promotion Programme for 2020/21 Following presentation by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Cabinet approved the Sesame Seed Production and Promotion Programme for the 2020/21 Season.

The Programme will cover 40 000 hectares and will produce 24 000 metric tonnes of sesame seed at a yield level of 0.6 metric tonnes per hectare.

The Programme will provide seed, fertilizer and chemicals at a rate of ZW$4 000 per hectare, hence the 40 000 hectare programme is expected to cost ZW$160 million.

The selling price for sesame seed will be pegged at US$875.00 per metric tonne, which will give farmers a return of 20%, so as to incentivise them to produce more sesame seed.

The sesame seed producers would be paid 50 percent in foreign currency and 50 percent in local currency.