ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES CONTINUES TO FLY TO HARARE AMID TIGHTENING LOCKDOWN RULES
(Posted 01st August 2020)
- On July 21, President Mnangagwa announced new restrictions under Zimbabwe’s lockdown regulations including: implementing a curfew from 6am to 6pm except for essential services. Given the new surge of reported cases of COVID -19 in Zimbabwe, the following types of businesses can only be open from 8am to 3pm daily:
- Fuel outlets
- Restaurants
- Banks
- Bureaux de changes
- Courts of law
- Parliamentary Committees
- Supermarkets
- Vegetable markets
- Commercial and manufacturing enterprises
- Student exams
- International commercial flight options currently exist in Zimbabwe. Foreign citizens who wish to return home should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. Foreign governments through their respective embassies and High Commissions do not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Zimbabwe at this time.
- Ethiopian Airlines reports it has resumed flights from Harare via Addis Ababa to a growing number of destinations. The next flights are scheduled for Sunday, August 2, at 13:40, and Monday, August 3, at 13:40. Flights are scheduled thereafter on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. However, flight schedules and costs are subject to change. Travelers should confirm all flight details with Ethiopian Airlines when making reservations.
- Tickets will be sold directly by Ethiopian Airlines. The agent responsible is Fungai, on WhatsApp at +263 73 397 3863. Contact her directly to confirm booking and payment details, but please only contact her by WhatsApp message. Travelers are responsible for making their reservations and paying the cost of their tickets.v
- These Ethiopian Airlines flights are the only way to depart Zimbabwe at this time, as the government has closed all land borders except to returning residents. If you want to leave Zimbabwe, consider booking one of these flights now. Evacuation flights are not free-of-charge and are, in fact, frequently more expensive than currently available commercial travel.
Actions to Take
- Ensure that your travel documents are valid.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit your Embassy’s / High Commission’s webpages on COVID-19.
- Ensure you meet documentation requirements for your country of final destination
Government of Zimbabwe Lockdown
- The government declared the COVID-19 crisis a “national disaster” on Friday, March 27, a move allowing it to commandeer state resources towards fighting COVID-19, to use emergency regulations, and to deploy personnel for the same services.
- The government began a nationwide lockdown on March 30, which was slightly eased and extended indefinitely on May 16. The measure is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 and requires public activities to cease and informal markets to close, with exceptions for certain food and fuel vendors as well as health-related facilities. People are required to wear face masks in public.
- The public is strongly encouraged to remain in their homes, wash hands frequently, practice physical distancing, and wear face masks when out in public.
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