Zim waives Covid-19 tests for fully vaccinated visitors

BUSINESS REPORTER

Returning residents and visitors are no longer required to present a negative PCR certificate on arrival at ports of entry but have to be fully vaccinated, the government said Tuesday, as it relaxed restriction in the wake a decline in new Covid-19 cases.

Information and Publicity minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists at a post-Cabinet briefing that a negative PCR certificate would only be a requirement if the returning resident or visitor was not fully vaccinated.

“Only a valid vaccination certificate showing that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with any one of the WHO-approved vaccines will suffice. This is in recognition of the declining Covid-19 new cases, most of which are now very mild or have no symptoms and increasing vaccination coverage,” Mutsvangwa said.

A number of countries have relaxed restriction as Covid-19 seems to have been contained.

In the Sadc region, Namibia and Botswana have said fully vaccinated visitors would no longer be required to present negative PCR certificates at ports of entry.

Ghana on Sunday said all returning residents and visitors have to be fully vaccinated as it removed a requirement that one has to produce a negative PCR certificate.

Experts say the removal of restrictions would boost tourism which has suffered following national lockdowns imposed in the past two years.