Situation Overview

IOM and its partners are supporting Zimbabwe in strengthening core capacities for public health measures at Points of Entry (PoE), with its broad range of expertise in migration management and emergency operations. IOM is involved in monitoring and tracking as well as coordination at POEs and is strengthening the response for vulnerable migrant returnees in order to halt further transmission of COVID-19 and mitigate the impact of the outbreak. To date 21 187 migrants have returned to Zimbabwe since the onset of COVID-19.

As of the 29th of September 2020, Zimbabwe recorded 7837 cases of COVID-19 and 228 deaths. This situation report provides a weekly snapshot of the mobility trends at the key POE; Beitbridge, Nyamapanda, Forbes, Chirundu and Plumtree, highlighting issues around disease surveillance, infection prevention and control and the provision of basic services to returning migrants and frontline staff.

Mobility Trends

Plumtree: 313 persons were screened at the PoE with the assistance of the IOM nursing staff (144truck drivers and 169 returnees).  One truck driver was denied entry because he did not have a COVID-19 test certificate. 31 returnees had valid Covid-19 test certificates and were sent to self-quarantine at home.

Nyamapanda: The number of returnees at the border is increasing. This is because regulations now require returnees to provide a valid COVID-19 test certificate with no need for quarantine. The POE has received more than 10 returnees in two weeks compared to 4 for the whole month of August.

Forbes: 15 (6 males and 9 females) returnees were received during the period under review. These were mainly students returning to resume their studies following the opening of schools for exam classes.

Chirundu: 2 returnees from Zambia (1 male and 1 female) arrived without valid COVID-19 test certificates. They were taken to quarantine centres in Harare and ZIPAM in Mashonaland West before proceeding to Midlands province.

Beitbridge: Migrants without valid COVID-19 test results received on the 19th September 2020 were transferred to provincial quarantine centres while awaiting test results.

Partnership and Coordination

A High-Level coordination meeting was held in Masvingo for PoE agencies from Beitbridge, Chirundu, Plumtree, Forbes and Victoria Falls.  It took place from the 24th to the 26th September 2020. The main objective of the meeting was for stakeholders to discuss and propose recommendations regarding the planned reopening of schools and POE. A total of 50 frontline officials participated in the meeting.

Chirundu: IOM supported the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to convene a cross border coordination and training workshop at Chirundu One Stop Border Post (OSBP). The event was attended by 34 participants (11 females and 23 males) from key government ministries and departments from Zambia and Zimbabwe, IOM, Trade and Information Desks and representatives from the Chirundu Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA). Participants developed border specific action plans to facilitate COVID-19 response, Human Mobility and Trade Facilitation. With the imminent full opening of schools and POE, stakeholders highlighted the importance of information sharing efforts and gearing up facilities for screening and testing.

Nyamapanda: POE received officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, COVID-19 taskforce (National, Provincial and District reps). They toured the IOM facility and expressed their appreciation for the support IOM has given to government in the National COVID-19 Response and their partnership with Port Health.

Plumtree: 22-24 September- IOM supported the District Civil Protection Unit in a 3-day workshop on Community Based Disaster Risk Management held at Sivalukhalo Primary School in Ward 1, Plumtree.

Infection Prevention & Control and Disease Surveillance

Plumtree:  Of the 209 persons screened for COVID-19, 81 were returnees (54male, 24 female and 3 male minors).  Of these, only 20 had valid COVID-19 certificates. Migrants with no valid results were referred for onward testing in their respective provincial centres.

Nyamapanda: The POE was disinfected after a commercial truck driver who passed through Nyamapanda tested positive for COVID-19 in Tete, Mozambique.

Chirundu: Approximately 1200 people use the hand washing facilities daily.

Forbes: An average of 500 people (commercial truck drivers and migrants) receive information and training on COVID-19 prevention and control at the border. Key messages are on the importance of PPE, hand washing and health living.

Quarantine and Isolation Centres

Beitbridge: There are currently 39 people at the quarantine centre.

Plumtree: All quarantine centres have been closed. In emergencies, the Plumtree “IOM” reception centre is used to temporarily house migrants before they moved to their respective provinces.

Forbes: Migrants arriving without valid COVID-19 certificates are sent to Toronto and Magamba quarantine centres.

Basic Services

Beitbridge: A total of 6 returnees (5 males and 1 female) were treated for various non COVID-19 related ailments at the IOM isolation tent.

Chirundu: 1 commercial truck driver fell ill at the POE and was supported by IOM staff to receive his required medication through the local clinic. The distribution of PPE materials is ongoing to approximately 200 frontline staff.

Plumtree: 3 elderly migrants received in the reporting period were battling chronic conditions (heart ailments and hypertension). IOM health staff assisted them in liaison with the functional reception centre clinic under government management.

Forbes: A total of 500 masks have been distributed to commercial truck drivers.

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