Govt defers school opening by 2 weeks

Government yesterday has differed the opening schools for second by two weeks as the country continue to experience a surge increase in Covid 19 cases in the recent weeks

Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government will be monitoring the situation and review in due course.

“In view of the regional and local upsurge of cases, the nation is informed that Cabinet approved that the reopening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Government will be monitoring the situation and a review would be made after two weeks,” she said.

The shifting of dates comes following a warning by teachers and other health experts over the earlier planned 28 June date for opening of schools with teachers want school holiday to be extended until August.

In the recent week the infection rate surged by 127% to 1 239 cases this week compared to 544 cases reported the previous week.

“The number of active cases stands at 2 923. This represents a 127% increase,” she added.

Government also imposed more localised lockdowns to stem the spread of the virus.

Minister Mutsvangwa further said the majority of cases were recorded in Hurungwe (364), Kariba (217), Chiredzi (185), and Makonde (51), adding that health personnel had already been deployed to COVID-19 hotspots where localised lockdowns were imposed.