21 December 2020
SUSPENSION OF IN-PERSON CONSULAR VISITS TO THE CHANCERY
The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe refers to its Public Announcement of 25th of August 2020, which announced the resumption of the processing of passport applications at the Chancery Building after the decline and stabilisation of the Covid-19 infection rates of the first wave of the coronavirus peak of March/April 2020.
Unfortunately, a second wave of the Coronavirus infections is wrecking havoc within the US. Consequently, Zimbabweans living in the US are hereby advised that the Embassy has been forced to once again suspend in-person consular activities, in particular passport applications that require in-person visits to the Chancery, with immediate effect. This step is taken in the exercise of an abundance of caution in these very difficult and dangerous times.
This decision is being taken with a view to do our part in trying to mitigate the devastating impact of the coronavirus. Preserving the good health of the Zimbabwean citizens and the Embassy’s consular staff is of paramount importance. The current disease infection, morbidity, and mortality rates are no longer conducive for normal operations at the Chancery. The Embassy’s operations during these difficult times are also in response to the guidance from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Government of the District of Columbia.
The Embassy urges all clients to refer to the following website for a comprehensive national assessment of the current worsening covid-19 pandemic in the US;
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
For the local updates (for the District of Columbia) on the covid-19 situation, please refer to the following website;
The Mission hopes that the above information sources will help clients to understand and accept the inevitable decision to suspend in-person consular activities forthwith.
The Mission takes the opportunity to highlight that all consular service that can be conducted online (refer to consular services outlined on www. zimembassydc.org, will continue to be rendered.
Zimbabweans living in the US and other interested stakeholders, will be advised of the dates for resumption of in-person consular visits to the Embassy in due course (when the situation has stabilised).
Please note that:
Clearances for the repatriation of remains for burial in Zimbabwe will continue to be strictly processed via the existing electronic platforms (refer to the Embassy website www.zimembassydc.org)
Interaction with the Embassy’s Consular Staff on any relevant matter of interest and general inquiries should be communicated via the following channels:
Email Address:
Zimembassydc@gmail.com (strictly no consular)
Website: www.zimembassydc.org
Facebook Page: ZimEmbassyDC
