Millers seek vaccination priority . . . sector has 15k workers . . . there’s too much exposure
Africa Moyo
Grain millers have approached Government seeking to be prioritised in the ongoing national vaccination programme.
In a letter dated March 29 addressed to Ministry of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza, Grain
Millers Association of Zimbabwe national chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said it was in the “national interest” to classify their workers as essential for purposes of vaccination.
“We hereby apply for, and on behalf of, all our personnel to be regarded as essential services workers for purposes of Covid-19 vaccination and procure services of mobile vaccination clinics at our designated milling sites for convenience of our workers,” said Mr Musarara.
GMAZ has already appointed a point person to oversee the programme.
The sector has 15 000 workers who are responsible for milling and distributing products such as maize meal, flour, salt, rice and stock feed, among others, across the country, which might expose them to coronavirus.
The vaccination programme is underway and many citizens have warmed up to it.
Yesterday, 10 796 people received their first dose, taking the total number of those who have taken the first jab to 87 791.
Over 17 500 people had taken their second dose by yesterday.
Zimbabwe is set to receive about one million vaccines per month as the vaccination programme gathers pace.
Already, Zimbabwe has taken delivery of over 1,6 million vaccines.
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