AN Air Zimbabwe special charter flight from China with approximately 30 tonnes consignment of Covid-19 combat supplies has landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.
The consignment is believed to include personal protective equipment (PPEs), Covid-19 test kits, gloves, ventilators and other equipment needed to treat Covid-19 patients.
According to State-owned media, the consignment was bought by Government and other private partners to ensure treatment centres and laboratories were equipped.
However, some of the materials is believed to have been sourced funding provided by Sakunda Holdings as well as Chinese business people operating in Zimbabwe.
China went into full production of Covid-19-related equipment and supplies and factories are now supplying many countries, including the United States.
Air Zimbabwe spokesperson Ms Firstme Vitoria had confirmed a few days ago that the airline was concluding clearance logistics for the charter plane to leave.
“Air Zimbabwe is finalising a cargo charter flight to China scheduled to depart early Friday morning,” she said.
“Once all clearances are granted the charter flight shall position in Beijing to collect cargo towards Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.”
Government has expanded the criteria for those who qualify for Covid-19 testing to include all patients with fever in hospitals, while all people working during the 21-day national lockdown would also be subjected to mandatory testing.
Zimbabwe currently has 25 cases of the coronavirus, including three deaths. The arrival of more supplies is believed to lead to much wider testing and a rise in the number of confirmed cases. – (Zimbabwe Voice /
