By Nokuthaba Dlamini
Inyathi quarantine centre, in Bubi district, one of the designated Covid-19 isolation and quarantine centres in Matabeleland North is now accommodating more people than its carrying capacity.
According to the Social Welfare Department, the centre is likely to be overwhelmed as the number of nationals based in neighbouring countries trekking back into the country is on the increase.
“The centre has a capacity of 56 and currently has an enrolment of 60 returnees being 32 males and 28 females,” the report read.
“The cumulative number of returnees who have been received at the centre since its inception is 265 returnees being 187 males and 78 females.”
Social Welfare Development officer Macnon Chirinzepi said the department is bracing for more people.
The other quarantine centre, Encore Budget Hotel, in Victoria Falls currently has eight occupants.
“The capacity of the centre is 100 while the current enrolment of returnees is eight being two male adults and three female adults, and three children including a Somalian national,” the report read.
The Somalian returnee according to Chirinzepi was caught illegally attempting to cross into South Africa last week from Botswana.
The cumulative total of returnees that have been received at the facility stands at 316 returnees being 179 males and 137 females and 18 migrants from Namibia, Uganda, DRC, Russia and Zambia.
Phezulu Lodge, a quarantine centre for self-paying returnees has been unoccupied over the past month.
The capacity of the centre is 43 and costs US$85 per person per day.
