Peter Tanyanyiwa
The Harare City Council (HCC) on Tuesday received 400 face shields from the Zimbabwe National Covid-19 Action Trust (ZIMCAT).
The donation was made in an effort to safeguard the frontline workers against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 400 face shields from the Zimbabwe National Covid-19 Action Trust is meant to cater for HCC’s emergency services unit including nurses and ambulance technicians.
Speaking during the handover programme at the Town House, ZIMCAT’s Sharon Hook said they received the face shields from a company in the United Kingdom and were asked to distribute them to frontline workers.
“We received 10 000 face shields from a company in UK and was told to distribute them for frontline workers in the areas of clinics, hospitals, ambulance technicians, security guards at clinics and fire services as they are the ones who are more exposed to the Covid-19”.
The Mayor of Harare, Councillor Jacob Mafume received the donations on behalf of the city.
“As we reopen the economy of Harare, we need to do so in a manner where we are safe and protected and this will go a long way in protecting our workers,” said Mafume.
Face shields should be worn in addition to a mask and are primarily worn to protect the eyes of the person wearing it.
Face shield wearers are recommended to wash their hands before and after removing the face shield and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth when removing it.
Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use according to manufacturer instructions.
“The actions all people can take to prevent the spread of Covid-19 include keeping our distance from each other, avoiding crowded indoor spaces and ensuring indoor spaces are properly ventilated, washing our hands frequently with soap and running water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer, and wearing a face mask,” added Mafume.