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Conrad Mupesa Masholand West Correspondent

INMATES who were released from Mashonaland West prisons after benefiting from an amnesty granted by President Mnangagwa received lessons on Covid-19 awareness and prevention from prisons medical personnel.

The President last week cut sentences for a wide range of non-violent prisoners, allowing more than 1 600 inmates to be released immediately, which saw Mashonaland West releasing 145 prisoners that included five illegal immigrants currently awaiting deportation.

Mashonaland West Officer Commanding Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Senior Assistant Commissioner Christina Manhivi told The Herald that Covid-19 awareness education was delivered to all the released inmates prior to their release to equip them with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves.

“Health education to inmates on Covid-19 was ongoing as from the time it was declared a pandemic through our prisons medical personnel,” she said.

“The released inmates also managed to acquire information on the signs and symptoms of Covid-19, how it spreads and preventive measures that include cough and sneezing etiquette.”

Asst Comm Manhivi noted that both the released and incarcerated inmates were taught about the need to thoroughly wash their hands with soap often and the need to observe social distancing as well.

“When the inmates were released, we had also managed to tell them about the current 21-day lockdown and its importance in arresting the spread of the corona virus,” she said.