German And French Tourists Fined $300 Each For Trespassing In Victoria Falls Rainforest

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has reported that it arrested two tourists from Germany and France on Easter Sunday after they were found trespassing in the Victoria Falls rainforest.

Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said that the rainforest and other tourist facilities around the country are closed as part of a 21-day national lockdown which began on the 30th of March 30 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. He added:

They were intercepted by our rangers after entering the rainforest illegally. They paid admission or guilt fines of $300 for trespassing and were released.

We are encouraging tourists to stay at home until the coronavirus pandemic is contained, and we would happily receive them at that time.

He also told ZimLive that the local COVID-19 rapid response teams had been dispatched to screen and test the tourists for the virus.

Farawo also indicated that Zimbabwe’s tourism industry has been greatly affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic since tourists are no longer able to fly into the country due to travel restrictions which saw airlines suspending international flights.

It is essential to note that if the tourists had coronavirus, the fines they paid may not be commensurate with the potential health risk they pose to the country.

More: ZimLive