Embassy of Netherlands has advised travellers departing from Zimbabwe to leave the African country as soon as possible with airlines suspending flights due to coronavirus.
The embassy went on to advised Netherlands citizens to factor situation in Europe against Zimbabwe’s health care in case of a coronavirus outbreak.
“Should you want to leave Zimbabwe, you are advised to do this as soon as possible by commercial means. Given the rapidly changing situation including the reduction in flights please make travel plans as soon as possible,” the Dutch embassy says.
“You are advised to factor in the current situation in the Netherlands and the probable risks related to the level of health care in Zimbabwe in case of a breakout of COVID-19 in the country.”
The embassy gives advice to travellers as Emirates airlines inform Travel Update of suspending flights in the Harare, Lusaka and Dubai route.
“We wish to advise the travel trade that due to the current challenging global conditions, Emirates Airlines is compelled to suspend flights EK 713/714 (LUN/HRE) for the period 20 March to 20 May 2020,” the airlines says.
“As such flights, Harare-Lusaka-Dubai (EK714), and Dubai-Lusaka-Harare (EK713) will be cancelled effective 20th March 2020 up to 20 May 2020.”
“Our last flights to and from Harare will be EK713/4 19th March 2020.”
No case of coronavirus has been recorded in Zimbabwe, but the country is already banning gatherings of over 100 people starting from 20 March 2020 and also intensifying screening and testing on ports of entries and government buildings.
Zimbabwe’s health system, however, has been described by critics as a collapsed system with strained health facilities and equipment including even medication.
