By Nokuthaba Dlamini
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, through Medical Air Rescue Services (Mars) has donated 600 Covid-19 tests kits and free testing services to Victoria Falls residents.
According to Mars officials who spoke at the handover ceremony, the donation is aimed at fulfilling the company’s corporate social responsibility.
“We are doing these tests for free so we know where we stand as the town in terms of this virus status,” a staff member said while presenting the test kits.
“We also want to make sure that we are clean and healthy Zimbabweans, and Victoria Falls being the tourists place we so that they understand this and what we are doing and to ensure that we can have our tourism industry at a better place.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the handover, Hotels Association of Zimbabwe Matabeleland North chapter chairperson, Anald Musonza thanked Econet and Mars for availing the test kits to the tourism industry and the community of Victoria Falls.
“As you know that we have been given a green light to open our tourism industry these test kits play a huge advantage to us as we open,”
“Upon the handover, we were told that the testing will be free to everyone and I would like to urge our residents as they interact with the visitors. We want our community and tourism staff to get tested to reduce the burden of spreading the disease.”
Testing is being done at Mars offices opposite OK supermarket in town.
Last week, government announced that national parks were to reopen and restaurants would be allowed to serve food within their premises.
The government’s decision came amid an outcry from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and private safari lodges that the continued lockdown was endangering both business and conservation efforts.
The Victoria Falls rainforest is part of the tourism section to be opened since its closure on March 30.
Zambia reopened its side of the Victoria Falls in May.
