17 March 2020 – COVID-19 National Preparedness Response Plan launched

Type of Intervention: National
Sectors Involved: National
Intervention Categories: Planning and strategy; Creation of or release of plans; Listening to scientists or health/other experts; Legal and policy; Lifting of international travel measures; International travel measures
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Health Ministry

Overview: The government of Zimbabwe through the Health ministry crafted the Zimbabwe Preparedness and Response Plan which outlined how government, line ministries and key institutions would respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Zimbabwe speedily formulated a swathe of statutory instruments as is the norm to respond to the increasing threat of the pandemic in the face of accusations of inaction, inertia and indecisiveness from the public through civil society groupings and media.

Full details here: https://healthtimes.co.zw/2020/03/19/zim-launches-coronavirus-preparedness-response-plan/

Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, WHO reports
Source of Evidence or Justification: World Health Organisation, National – government
Evidence/Justification: South Africa COVID-19 case scenario was one of the major motives behind the formulation of the policy. South Africa had introduced the lockdown amid the increase of COVID-19 positive cases. Zimbabwe then followed suit.