'Cross Border Truck Drivers Should Be Forced To Practice Social Distancing'
Concern has been raised about the coronavirus threat posed by cross-border truck drivers who stop at truck inns and business centres in Zimbabwe.
The drivers have often been accused of picking up s_x workers from surrounding villages at such spots, putting local people at risk of contracting the virus.
Speaking during a recent visit to Chivi District Hospital by members of the Masvingo provincial COVID-19 taskforce led by Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira, Chivi Central Constituency National Assembly representative Ephraim Gwanongodza said:
There might be no business during the day at business centres like Chibi Turn-Off and other areas along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, but truck drivers from South Africa still park there in their numbers.
In the surrounding villages, for example at Chibi Turn-Off, there are women who like to entertain the truck drivers, and there is a lot of contact that happens that makes social distancing impossible.
We discussed the issue with the local councillor and it is our request that trucks should be banned from parking at these places because it’s putting our province and the nation at serious risk.
In his presentation, Minister Chadzamira urged citizens to always practise social distancing and other preventative behaviour to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
