The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
SOME frontline workers stationed at Forbes Border Post outside Mutare are hesitant to get vaccinated, thereby exposing themselves and travellers to Covid-19, it has been established.
This emerged during a tour of the border post by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa last week on Saturday.
In an interview with The Manica Post, Minister Mutsvangwa said all front line workers need to get vaccinated.
“There is need to make sure that all officers stationed here (Forbes Border Post) are vaccinated. Unfortunately some are hesitating to do so. All frontline workers should be vaccinated.
Cabinet recently decided that all frontline workers should be vaccinated by July 14. Those who do not risk losing out on the Covid-19 insurance policy.
“Only vaccinated frontline workers will qualify to get Covid-19 insurance pay-outs. Everyone needs to protect their own health,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said a vaccination blitz will be rolled out in all border cities and towns, including Mutare, to encourage uptake.
“In terms of following the protocols to contain the pandemic, the port health authorities are diligently executing their duties at Forbes Border Post. However, they should lead by example and get vaccinated for their own safety,” she said.
Port health officers are stationed at airports and boarders to inspect vaccination certificates, imported foodstuffs and chemicals.
They also inspect public premises at the ports of entry to ensure that public health nuisances are prevented or dealt with appropriately. In addition, they also clear the paperwork of those who die in foreign countries and return home for burial.
Speaking on fake vaccination cards, Minister Mutsvangwa said the law will soon catch up with the culprits as the Ministry of Health and Child Care has digital records of all vaccinated citizens.
“Why pay $25 for a fake vaccination card when you can be vaccinated for free? Those that are buying these certificates should know that the long arm of the law will catch up with them as the Government is leaving no stone unturned in this quest,” she warned.
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) station manager, Mr Langton Chuma, said less than 50 percent of the authority’s staff members at Forbes Border Post have been vaccinated.
“Some of our members are hesitant to get vaccinated but I am sure now that the Minister has spoken to them we will see an improvement on the vaccination rate here.
“There is need to protect ourselves as well as our customers from the virus. We can only achieve this if we follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Child Care Covid-19 prevention rules and regulations,” he said.
Mr Chuma said the border post serves at least 800 regional trucks per day.
