65 Zimbabweans returning from UK demand hotels for quarantine- Govt

Zimbabwe’s permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana has dropped a bombshell.

On Twitter, he said:

We received 65 Zimbabweans from the UK. Available place of quarantine is Belvedere Teachers College. They are refusing this accommodation demanding hotels. Govt can’t afford. Why come from a covid19 hotspot during a lockdown & demand posh facilities at stretched public cost?

Here is the thing. There is everything in our bones that says we should take care of those who are Zimbabweans. Some of them send money to family and these remittances help a lot.

But demanding luxury in a crisis is a bit much. Even countries with better economies(remember ours is in the toilet at the moment) cant afford hotel accommodation unless individuals pay their way. And even then, these hotels would need vetting in case someone has Covid-19 so as to be able to deal with a positive case should one rise.

This is not even dealing with the fact that tax burden on the health sector is massive right now. Most people who will catch Covid-19 will not be able to pay for treatment but they will need it all the same meaning all resources have to be treated with extreme care.

The United Kingdom is a massive hotspot on incredible levels with hundreds dying daily.

Making demands now helps noone.