In line with Botswana’s stragety of sequentially easing the lockdown restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the country has finished the final phase three at midnight (20 May 2020). With the end of the lockdown restrictions, the Government of Botswana has brought “COVID-19 zones”, which are part of its continued coronavirus containment strategy, into effect. The Government of Botswana has divided the country into nine zones: Greater Gaborone zone, Greater Francistown zone, Greater Palapye zone, Boteti zone, Greater Maun zone, Chobe zone, Kgalagadi zone, Ghanzi zone and Greater Phikwe zone. Through the demarcation of the “COVID-19 zones”, the Government is able to restrict the movement of people in Botswana and to swiftly response in the event of an agressive outbreak.
As of today (21 May 2020), people in Botswana are allowed to move freely within a “COVID-19 zone” and only require an official permit when moving between zones. The Government of Botswana continues to urge the people to wear masks/face coverings in public places, businesses and common areas of residential buildings, to observe social distancing, to use sanitizers and to frequently wash hands. Organisations (both formal and informal sectors) must ensure that the following is carried out on a continuous basis:
- daily Covid-19 temperature screening
- enforce wearing of face mask
- 2 to 3 times a day cleaning/desinfection of shared spaces
- Availability of hand sanitizers
- Register of all employees, visitors and clients
- deny entry or service to persons who do not comply
- enforce social distancing
