COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Zimbabwe (13 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed entry, and Zimbabwe is open for tourism.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states are allowed to transit through Zimbabwe’s land borders. They must produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last seven days.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving without a negative test certificate must have a COVID-19 test on arrival or must quarantine in a government centre for 14 days. Diplomats are exempt from this requirement but must observe a 14-day quarantine.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All arrivals must show a negative COVID-19 test certificate from an approved facility issued within 48-hours prior to departure from their point of origin. The travellers who do not have a negative test certificate or those travellers having any symptoms of COVID-19 will be detained at a government facility at their own cost.

• Citizens and residents of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states must produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last seven days to enter Zimbabwe.

• Departing passengers must show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before departure.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving in Zimbabwe are subject to a 14-day quarantine.

• It is possible for residents to book online for the quarantine through the ZINCAT website.

Entry form required?

• Travellers will be asked to complete a health declaration form while on board their flight.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International commercial flights have resumed.

• Domestic flights are operating.

• Tourists arriving by air are allowed entry.

• Entry visas may be obtained on arrival.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land borders remain closed except for citizens and residents of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states who are allowed to transit through Zimbabwe’s land borders. These travellers must produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last seven days.

• The border crossings of Plumtree with Botswana, Beitbridge with South Africa, Chirundu and Victoria Falls with Zambia, and Forbes with Mozambique are expected to reopen from 1 December for private passenger vehicles and pedestrians.

• Cross-border public transport services are expected to resume from the first quarter of 2021.

• Foreign nationals may exit Zimbabwe. However, if travelling to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport from outside Harare, travellers will need to obtain an authorization letter from the local police station and carry the letter with them along with a confirmed flight ticket and passport. All such travellers will need to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 48-hours prior to their departure from Zimbabwe. If they are found having any symptoms, then travellers will be denied boarding, charged for a processing fee, screened, and tested for COVID-19. If a traveller tests positive, they will be assigned to a 14-day quarantine at a government facility. If a traveller tests negative, they will be assigned to self-isolation for 14-days.

• Extended visas expired on 30 September. Anyone wishing to extend or renew visas will need to apply through the Government of Zimbabwe.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• The country is still under partial lockdown, and measures will remain in place for an indefinite period.

• Localized lockdown restrictions have been tightened in COVID-19 hotspots.

• A curfew is in place from 20:00 to 06:00 (local time).

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Gatherings are permitted up to a maximum of 100 people in public places, including funerals.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are mandatory.

• Intercity public transport has partly resumed.

• Inter-regional travel remains suspended.

• Public buses are operating but with social distancing guidelines.

• Citizens may travel within the country when necessary.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Essential services are allowed to remain open during curfew hours.

• Businesses are allowed to remain open from 06:30–18:30 (local time).

Accommodations open?

• Yes with exception

• Hotels are open, however, travellers should be aware that hotels may close with short notice.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open for indoor seating with a limited capacity.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• The tourism sector has opened. National parks are open, and hunting operations and local safaris are permitted.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• National museums and monuments are allowed to reopen.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Churches and other places of worship may resume with a limited capacity.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory for all people while in public places.

Other

• Schools will remain closed until further notice.

Tanácsadás

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.