Arrivals at Harare’s international airport. Picture: Great Zimbabwe Traveller
Zimbabwe has recently issued two sets of COVID-19 regulations relating to travel into the country. Here are the latest rules:
If you are a Zimbabwean citizen or resident:
According to Statutory Instrument 108 of 2021, issued by the government on 7 May, Zimbabwean citizens and residents WITHOUT valid COVID-19 test certificates will be sent to quarantine for 10 days at designated hotels or quarantine centres, at their own cost. You will only be released from quarantine after a COVID-19 test.
If you are a citizen or resident WITH a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate, you will be allowed to self-quarantine at home for 10 days from the date you arrive.
A valid COVID-19 test, according to the regulations, is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test carried out by an accredited laboratory within 48 hours to a traveller’s arrival in Zimbabwe.
For non-residents/tourists/visitors:
According to Statutory Instrument 119 of 2021, issued on 14 May, non-residents WITHOUT a valid COVID-19 test certificate are barred from entering the country.
Non-residents WITH valid negative COVID-19 test certificates are required to either self-quarantine or check themselves into a designated hotel for 10 days after arrival in Zimbabwe.
For both citizens/residents and foreign travellers, border officers can choose to test any traveller for COVID-19, at the traveller’s cost. While the latest regulations do no specify the criteria for this, government has previously said that port officials may test a person they believe to be showing symptoms of illness.
For travellers from India:
Following the identification, in Zimbabwe, of the coronavirus variant first identified in India – B.1.617 – the government announced additional quarantine requirements specific to the Asian country on 19 May, 2021.
People travelling from India, whether citizens, returning residents or visitors, will be subjected to mandatory quarantine at a designated centre at their own cost.
Exceptions:
In terms of the consolidated COVID-19 lockdown regulations, certain persons may be allowed to enter and exit Zimbabwe under exceptional circumstances which include:
- Heads of State or government, their envoys and ministers on official visits. Also exempted are national or international senior civil servants and dignitaries on official business.
- Staff of foreign missions or agencies
- Drivers of vehicles involved in the transportation of food and essential supplies and items during the national lockdown;
- Flight crews of any passenger or cargo aircraft engaged in an essential service.
- Cross-border transport crews.
- Any national or ordinary resident of a SADC country in transit to the SADC country of which he or she is a national or resident. Such arrivals are required to have a COVID-19-free certificate issued within the previous seven working days and to submit to a fresh test.
- Experts or specialists employed or retained by a licenced business.
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