HARARE – Zimbabwe will resume domestic flights from Thursday and international flights next month in a boost to tourism, but travellers will be required to have Covid-19 clearance certificates, the government said.

Zimbabwe suspended flights and shut its borders in March as it sought to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 7,388 people and resulted in 218 deaths.

The government said in a statement that domestic flights would resume on September 10, while international flights would start on October 1.

“All travellers will be required to have a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Covid-19 clearance certificate issued by a recognised facility within 48 hours from the date of departure,” the statement said.

A Covid-19 lockdown has until now closed all tourist attractions, forcing some hotels and resorts to lay off workers. The government expects the tourism sector to contract 7.4 percent this year. – Reuters