THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company says exhibitors, visitors, contractors, suppliers and vendors will be required to produce a Covid-19-free PCR test certificate issued no later than 48 hrs before the annual showcase begins.
CHIPA GONDITII
The Trade Fair will also deploy “Covid-19 police” to enforce disease prevention guidelines.
Covid-19 had claimed 4 047 lives as of Thursday while the cumulative confirmed cases stood at 118 754.
The trade and investment exhibition, usually held in April every year, had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the globe. ZITF will run from 23 to 27 August.
The Trade Fair’s Covid-19 safety and risk management plan guideline for exhibitors emphasises that all stakeholders have to be vaccinated before the commencement of the showcase and that all registration and payments should be done online.
“All stakeholders are strongly encouraged to have vaccinated against Covid-19 to increase the level of herd protection at the show,” the guidelines say.
“Everyone will be requested to present a valid Covid-19 Free Certificate taken not more than 48 hours prior to beginning of the show.
“All exhibitors and visitors should pre-register online to reduce contact and gathering at the registration points on arrival. Participants are encouraged to pre-schedule their meetings using the ZITF 2021 Mobile App.
“Utilise electronic payment channels, ie RTGS (bank transfer) and mobile money platforms to avoid contact onsite.”
The ZITF’s stipulations come after the government last month announced plans to withhold Covid-19 allowances for unvaccinated civil servants, a move which has since been emulated by large corporate entities such as Delta Beverages and TelOne.
The ZITF management also said a Covid-19 police force will be at hand to enforce World Health Organisation guidelines on disease prevention.
“The ZITF Company has trained its frontline staff to help in enforcing the strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols, thereby creating a safe environment. Covid-19 Police will be located around all client service points and around public areas to remind people to adhere to recommended show Covid-19 protocols such as masking up, hand sanitisation and social distancing,” read the notice.
ZITF management also indicated that signage promoting everyday Covid-19 protective measures such as proper wearing of masks, washing hands and social distancing will be put in public places such as entrances, halls and restrooms.
So far, Zimbabwe has fully vaccinated 1.3 million people, representing 7.7% of the population whereas 1 966 321 people have received their first dose.
