‘Dentralise Covid-19 testing centres’

SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE

Mutare residents want the local authority to seriously consider decentralising the Covid-19 voluntary testing centres as movement to the designated centres is restricted due to lockdown imposed by government to curb the spread of the virus.

Beginning last week, the city council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Childcare embarked on a Covid-19 testing for willing residents.

Currently, the testing is done at three centres, Queens Hall in the city, Sakubva Beit Hall and Dangamvura Beit Hall.

Some residents have, however, complained they cannot travel across town to seek the free testing given the hiccups involved during the lockdown where they are required to have a travelling waiver.

The police are mounting numerous police checkpoints in collaboration with the military and the intelligence officers on some of the check points on all roads leading out of residential areas.

The blitz, according to the government is aimed at blocking unnecessary human movement to control the spread of the pandemic which has claimed more than 1 000 lives in the country.

Mildred Muzanechita of the Mutare Residents and Ratepayers’ Association said the initiative should be evenly spread across the city’s residential suburbs as movement to the designated zones is restricted.

“As residents we would have appreciated a situation where the council has other centres all over the city and places of residence.

As it is it is difficult to travel to the established centres given the movement limitations set by the government,’ said Muzanechita.

Another city resident Elijah Musabayana from Hobhouse in Mutare said despite the travel limitations brought about by the checkpoints, there are monetary challenges to having the voluntary tests.

“Besides the issue of police road blocks across town we have the issue of transport costs when many people are domiciled in homes with no form of income generation for most of them.

“We plead with the council to have such centres and services brought closest to the doorsteps of the people as we are encouraged to stay indoors,”Musabayana said.

Mutare city council spokesperson Spren Mtiwi hinted on having more such service centres brought closer to the people for convenience.

“It is work in progress and as soon as we have some logistical issues addressed, we are certain that the Covid-19 testing centres would be put near the people to limit travel,’’ Mtiwi said.

Health experts and the World Health Organisation are encouraging people to properly wear their face masks all the time, to always maintain social and physical distancing and to sanitise among other requirements such as unnecessary travelling and movement and remain indoors. ffff

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