The government of Zimbabwe has released 270 people who have been detained in Harare quarantine centres since their return to the country.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo said all the released returnees had tested negative for the coronavirus.
The development comes amid reports that the centres are in shambles and are themselves a health hazard to detainees. Moyo said:
It is not in our interest as the government to detain people for periods which are longer than stipulated,” Moyo said.
If they are negative, they should be released and allowed to go home. If positive, they will be placed in isolation.
Some returnees have been escaping from quarantine centres where life is reportedly horrible as some do not have running water and adequate food.
The Ministry of Health also reported that the biggest number of the known coronavirus cases are returnees mainly from South Africa.
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