Ok. Not sure if anyone has tweeted about how Zim is handling COVID-19 and returnees but here is my experience (will actually start with pre-arrival).

[Long Thread]

Thanks to WhatsApp groups, my parents alerted me of ZINCAT and so I emailed them. I was informed that the free government quarantine facilities were “hostel” living and they sent me a price list for the private facilities - all in USD.

However they do mention that these facilities are operating at a lower cost than usual and will provide all 3 meals and a private room. The prices range from about 480 to 1200 USD for 8 nights of quarantine.

I had to fill in a form with my medical information and my residential information including next of kin ( this will be important later).

Getting a confirmation letter on the facility I wanted took a lot of back and forth and I actually had to communicate via WhatsApp, and phone calls (email etiquette in this situation was not really existant)

Anyway - once the confirmation letter was there - the airline decided to move my flight by a day - good thing I had those WhatsApp numbers so I told them and they said “aight bet. Your room’s safe”.

Flying was mad weird but cool cause plane was empty and on the last flight everyone got bumped up to business ... and Economy was used for cargo i ain’t complaining.

Arrival in Zim: temperature checked, hands sanitised, and had to fill out 2 forms with the SAME information I provided before arrival. (These forms were fairly long). Everyone that dealt with us had a mask (some N95s and some surgical), gloves, and they kept their distance.Great

We were then gathered and informed that we Would be taken to our quarantine centres in one bus. We were also informed that if we test negative on the 8th day we would have to strictly self isolate at home for 14 days; during which the ministry can come check up on us and...

... if we are absent we would be taken back into quarantine. (YIKES).

The staff are told not to assist or interact with us (which is great) - so it took team work to help the elderly pack their bags into the bus. Nice human moment there.

The burden of proof that one is actually booked into a private quarantine facility is on the returnee. This leaves a bit of a loophole. But they took all our information AGAIN to make sure we were who se said we were just in case we run away.

I was dropped off at the facility I booked and was asked AGAIN for the same information I had provided before arrival, and at the airport. (I think at this point it’s clear that information needs to be consolidated digitally somehow).

There are 2 nurses on site, they are in full hazmat suits, and all the works. (Great job here). They sprayed my bags and me (with I don’t know what but also great job here - as along as it keeps us safe).

I am given one hour of garden time a day and will spend the rest of the time indoors in my room. So far all is well.