THE festive season is upon us and what a better way to break a leg than go out for a night of fun. This is perhaps what most revellers are doing as Harare regains its glow following months of Covid-19 induced lockdowns.
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
What is worrying, though, is that revellers are throwing caution to the wind, defying Covid-19 pandemic protocols on social distancing, not wearing masks and at times not washing their hands upon entering the various watering holes.
The numbers at most hangouts are swelling with more than 100 maskless imbibers being allowed in at any given hotspot in town. Even the heavy rains cannot deter people from going out. Last weekend, events proved to all and sundry that the entertainment-starved fans have let loose although the pandemic still poses a threat.
One popular event held recently in Harare hosted by Khaya Defero featured South African-based Zimbabwean amapiano star Sha Sha. The gig saw revellers thronging the venue in their numbers despite the rain fears.
Another venue where scores of people are flocking is Mashwede in Glen View suburb where every weekend there is entertainment galore. One of the organisers at Mashwede hangout, DJ iroq, confirmed that there have been thousands of music followers attending their weekend gigs.
“We have been getting a lot of support from fans across as we bring celebrities to the venue and also there is a good ambience and we play good music,” he said.
Kush Zvirawa of Khaya Defereo told The NewsHawks that the gig featuring Sha Sha (pictured) was sold out. She said Zimbabweans had not had international performances in a long time. Frankly speaking, the bar owners and show organisers are not only to blame as politicians have also been holding rallies and other big gatherings throughout the country.
According to the ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe’s cumulative Covid-19 cases this week stood at 133 674 with 128 465 recoveries and 4699 deaths. The recovery rate was 96%, with 510 active cases being recorded. Nationally, the overall number of new cases decreased slightly during the week under review, with 209 cases recorded compared 251 the previous week.
This represents a 17% decrease in the number of reported cases. Regarding case management, infection, prevention and control, the number of people in need of hospitalisation for Covid-19 decreased, with the country’s bed occupancy rate decreasing from 1.2% the previous week to 0.9% this week.
On the national vaccination programme, as of 22 November 2021, a total of 3 680 636 first doses had been administered, with 2 752 352 people having received their second dose.
