Number of escaping returnees from quarantine centres continue to rise

The number of returnee escapees has risen to 120 whilst those arrested for contravening lockdown restrictions are now 42 929 since inception of Covid 19 induced lockdown in March 30 2020.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday,articulated that the two escaped from quarantine centres at Mabhikwa High School in Matebeleland North and Marondera High School.

“The total number of escapee returnees has risen to 120 since inception of the Covid 19 induced lockdown.Futhermore, 79 people have so far been arrested for entry by evasion and smuggling since May 16, 2020,” said Nyathi.

Ass Comm Paul Nyathi reiterated that,” as police we are continously urging members of the public to be vigilant and observe safety and all security measures so as to safeguard themselves and others from the deadly Covid -19 global pandemic”.

Of the 1 191 arrested last Tuesday, most of them were monkeying around places and were not wearing face masks.

Recently, the government crafted a mandatory law where all people in public places are expected to wear face masks without fail as measure to mitigate the spread of Corona virus.

Inline with the health regulations, those who fail to wear face masks are liable to a $500 fine or imprisonment of up to one year behind bars.

This week, police reiterated that they were highly concerned about the rising numbers of returnees who are continously fleeing from quarantine centres as they were endangering other innocent citizens.

The police encouraged members of the public to be cautious before accepting any returnees and ensure that they go through the Covid-19 vetting process, which was being coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

The law stipulates that all returning residents be subjected to screening and testing, including 21-day mandatory quarantine.

Those who would have been quarantined are also subject to tests on day eight in quarantine and upon completion of the mandatory three-week isolation.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe recently announced that some of the escapees were from Plumtree and Masvingo.

He added that, police and health authorities were looking for those who escaped from quarantine as they had committed a heinous offense by violating the lockdown regulations.

Zimbabwe has received close to 4 000 returnees, mostly from South Africa and Botswana, over the past few weeks.

Recently, 19 people escaped from quarantine at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Hotel in Beitbridge, with five others absconding mandatory quarantine at Rupangwana Isolation Centre in Chiredzi.

Beitbridge police have been pursuing the 19 escapees, while two of those who escaped from Chiredzi were arrested whilst three are still at large.

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