The ManicaPost
AS Easter approaches, celebrating it may feel a lot more joyful than it did in 2020 – for good reasons — as most of us have survived to tell the sad story of how the Covid-19 pandemic has ruined lives.
But Covid-19 is still rearing its ugly head across the world and for the second year running, Zimbabwe like most of the countries across the world, still has to celebrate Easter without throwing caution to the wind.
Unlike last year’s Christmas holiday during which most people adopted a carefree attitude which became a recipe for sickness and death, this year’s Easter should be a totally different ball game.
Globally, governments are reiterating that there should not be a laxity of Covid-19 measures over this weekend, while some church leaders are encouraging people to follow Easter services from their own homes.
Everyone should embrace these calls in order to save lives.
The number of people who have succumbed to Covid-19 makes grim reading.
As of March 29, 2021, Zimbabwe had recorded 36 839 Covid-19 cases, 34 617 recoveries and 1 520 deaths.
During the festive season, the country recorded a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases with 1 342 cases and 29 deaths being reported in a week, marking that the highest number of infections and deaths to be ever recorded since March last year.
A week into the new year, the country recorded 34 deaths on January 5.
The number of deaths reached 500 on January 10 and two weeks later, they had doubled to 1 005.
Now with cases getting under control, the hard-won gains against the pandemic must not be put to waste by reckless behaviour over this Easter.
The nation should not throw caution to the wind as we do not want a repeat of the January experience.
Everyone needs to remember that we do not have the luxury of inaction. It is everyone’s duty to play a part in this global fight as lives matters.
We commend Government for putting in place the necessary precautionary measures to curb the recurrence of a spike in Covid-19 cases as we get into the Easter holiday.
Security agencies are already out in full force to ensure that citizens’ compliance with the national regulations.
Gatherings should not exceed the recommended 50 people, while funerals attendees should be 30.
While this might be tough to accept as a departed friend and relative deserves a rousing send-off, gatherings have proved to be super spreaders of the coronavirus.
Sadly, despite Government’s measures to protect people, some bad apples within the country’s law enforcement agencies are capitalising on the prevailing situation to line-up their pockets.
Some of them have become notorious for soliciting bribes from those going against national regulations on fighting Covid-19.
These uncouth elements need to be reminded that Covid-19 does not know one’s social standing in life.
If you are exposed to it, you may end up being infected, even after receiving a bribe.
Turning to road safety, we commend efforts by the Manicaland Civil Protection Committee.
The committee launched the Easter Road Safety Campaign in Mutare on Tuesday.
Traditionally, several fatal accidents are reported during this time of the year as most people travel. We need to drive safely to arrive safely.
Drivers should not drink and drive as everyone’s safety on the road should be a top priority.
Speed demons should stay out of the road, while transporters should not try to maximise on the anticipated surge on inter-city travellers by overloading their vehicles.
As we celebrate this Easter, we should remember that precaution is key as the threat of a Covid-19 third wave is real.
We should not tempt fate. Let us strive to stay safe by observing all of the World Health Organisation’s safety protocols on Covid-19.
