Zimbabwe — Population Mobility Mapping (Forbes)

The lockdown restrictions in Zimbabwe due to COVID-19 has drastically reduced the number of cross border movements. On average, the numbers crossing through the Mutare main border post has dropped from 400 to 250 persons a day. As of 2 February 2021, Zimbabwe had 33,548 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 26,794 recoveries and 1,254 deaths. As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with its partners in health recognized a need to understand the impact mobility within and across borders can potentially have on controlling the spread of the virus. To support these activities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working closely with the local government of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Health, and the Immigration Department to support the government of Zimbabwe and other key partners with regards to understanding migration flows, as well as to respond to the outbreak in a way that is sensitive to current and emerging migration and mobility realities in multiple regions in Zimbabwe.

The Forbes Border Post is the main crossing point between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. On the Mozambiquan side, the border is located in Machipanda. This border post is mostly characterised with freight traffic from the port city of Beira in Mozambique; however, mobility trends are also characterized by cross border traders who frequent the town to Chimoio and Manica for basic goods such as food and cheap second-hand clothing. Located 263 km to the East of the capital of Zimbabwe, Forbes border post in Mutare is one of the busiest borders in Zimbabwe.