Calvin Manika
RESIDENTS in Victoria Falls have hailed the move by government to open borders to vaccinated tourists.
The opening of the Victoria Falls and Kazungula Border posts has been welcomed by residents of the resort City of Victoria Falls.
In a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government acceded to a request by the tourism industry to open the Victoria Falls and Kazungula Border Posts to tourists who are fully vaccinated.
Speaking to The Zambezi Times some residents in Victoria Falls said the government decision was a huge relief to many who had been feeling the effects of lack of activity in the resort city.
“We depend on the Tourism industry, without it, everything is down, so the opening of these borders will see our industry sustain in these difficult circumstances. As more tourists come to this side, we remain relevant. Unlike in previous waves where companies were forced to shed off workers because business was bleak,” said Themba Mlauzi.
Theresa Ncube attributed the decision by the government to the positive attitude of the residents towards the vaccination programmes.
“From the beginning we wholly accepted the vaccination programme and said that is the way to go. We have seen countries which have fully implemented this programme restoring back to some levels of normalcy. That is our wish and now with the opening of these border posts we continue working and devising other tourist packages in the new normal setup,” said Ncube.
Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA) Secretary General Nguquko Tshili described the announcement as considerate.
“Victoria falls is a tourist zone and of late has been lacking tourists to the detriment of business. It’s a good gesture from the government to open the Botswana border only for the vaccinated tourists. We expect to benefit a lot because we share tourists with Botswana, especially those who come to Zimbabwe for a 1 day visit. Victoria Falls will benefit from this government move,” said Tshili.
