Save Zimbabwe: Lockdown Now!

Tututma Zimbabwe notes the recently announced new measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 by the government of Zimbabwe as a follow up and additional to the Declaration of National Disaster (17 March 2020). These are largely inadequate!

Zimbabwe recorded its first official Covid-19 fatality when a young media personality, Zororo Makamba, succumbed to the pandemic yesterday. In light of this heavy blow, Tutuma Zimbabwe is of the view that the Government of Zimbabwe must be more compelled now, than ever, to ensure that there are decentralised facilities accessible by citizens to deal with Covid-19.

We acknowledge the critical issues regarding protective clothing, raised by health service delivery workers and implore upon the Government of Zimbabwe to own up and take responsibility to ensure that the genuine demands are met and that no further lives are lost due to lack of essential supplies.

We further call upon the President ED Mnangagwa to show leadership and consider the critical decision of locking down as the most effective way of handling challenges associated with the Covid-19 outbreak. Continued allowance of public gatherings of no more than 50 people, opening of informal markets and business as usual by non-essential sectors of the market is unacceptable. While acknowledging that Zimbabwe economy is largely informal, we note that our health facilities are ill-equipped and prepared to handle the inevitable consequences of continued business. The risk far outweighs the short term benefits!

Tutuma implores upon all stakeholders, that is churches, media, businesses and civics to provide leadership and shut down.

Citizens, stay at home! At this juncture, social distancing is love!

Source: Tutuma