Zimbabwe will roll out the COVID-19 vaccine this week, targeting frontline workers and others from the essential services first, according to President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The first batch of 200 000 COVID-19 vaccines arrived from China on Monday (February 15).

“The faster our country is protected against this virus, the faster Zimbabwe’s economy can flourish,” said Mnangagwa.

Lowveld Travel Director, Adelaide Chikunguru, said the availability of the vaccine was a game-changer in the tourism sector. “The availability of the vaccines opens a new chapter for the tourism sector and the country in general. The subsequent inoculation of citizens boosts confidence in Destination Zimbabwe.

“We hope this initiative will catapult the revival of the tourism sector as this is what we have been waiting for.”

Zimbabwe has set aside US$100 million (€82m) for COVID-19 vaccines.

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