Eight Beitbridge border officials test positive for Covid in Zimbabwe

In a possible sign that not enough safety protocols are in place on the Zimbabwean side of the Beitbridge border post, eight customs officials have tested positive for Covid-19.

Confirmation of the cases comes a day after the border reopened, having been closed since March 30 in line with Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 restrictions.

In a statement mailed to Business Day, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) spokesperson Francis Chimanda said the authority had taken cautionary steps, including isolating the officials and other procedures guided by the World Health Organisation to ensure the safety of travellers.

Beitbridge border post is the busiest in the region, with more than 25,000 people passing through its gates every day.

Though traffic at the moment is said to be slow, it is not clear how many travellers, if any, the border officials have come into contact with.

An estimated 100,000 commercial trucks pass through the border post annually in transit to other countries in the Southern African Development Community. Some of the countries that use Zimbabwe as a transit trade route via SA include Malawi, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The authority said it was taking steps to rectify the situation.

“Zimra is very aware that due to the unique location of our offices and stations, coupled with the essential nature of the services we provide, there is a need to remain vigilant in observing and practising procedures that reduce exposure to Covid-19,” said Chimanda,

Some of the steps taken include testing contacts of all suspected Covid-19 cases. Only a critical skeleton staff remains on duty at selected stations.

Chimanda said all travellers importing dutiable” goods must clear and pay before arriving at the border to reduce crowding at the border post. He also encouraged travellers to use the e-services available on its website to reduce risks associated with travelling or handling physical documents.

Despite the Covid-19 cases, Zimbabwe’s authorities said they were working with their SA counterparts to implement a plan to absorb increased human traffic.

According to regulations recently set by the Zimbabwean government, a mandatory US$60 fee is charged for a Covid-19 test for travellers, an amount considered steep by Zimbabweans, who survive on about US$1 a day.

Zimbabwean regulations also stipulate that citizens or residents returning to the country must have a certificate showing they had a negative Covid-19 PCR test valid for 48 hours.

CONFIRMATION OF THE CASES COMES A DAY AFTER THE BORDER REOPENED, HAVING BEEN CLOSED SINCE MARCH 30

THOUGH TRAFFIC IS SAID TO BE SLOW, IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY TRAVELLERS, IF ANY, THE OFFICIALS HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH