Namibia’s President Dr. Hage G. Geingob has announced a four-stage strategy for Namibia to exit its coronavirus lockdown at a presidential media briefing on 30 April 2020. As of now Namibia is in stage one (lockdown), which will end at midnight on 04 May 2020. Stage two, which will beginn on 05 May 2020, is the first post-lockdown stage. During this stage, which will last until midnight on 01 June 2020, Namibia will be gradually opening unter strict precautions. Stage three (02 June 2020 – 30 June 2020) will see more moderate precautions. The final stage four will introduce a “new normal” and will last from 30 June 2020 until the end of the state of emergency (mid-September 2020). The actual duration of each stage may be reduced or extended subject to monitoring reports and a change in situation in Namibia.
Namibia’s four-stage strategy to exit the coronavirus lockdown (travel and tourism related aspects only):
- Stage 1 (until midnight 04 May 2020) – lockdown
- Stage 2 (05 May 2020 – midnight 01 June 2020) – Face masks will be required in public spaces; domestic travel will be permitted again without restrictions; borders will remain closed for non-Namibians; returning Namibians will be permitted to re-enter the country subject to screening at points of entry and supervised quarantine for 14 days; shopping malls, retail outlets, restaurants (take away only), laundromats, hairdressers etc. will be allowed to re-open subjet to specified conditions; buying and selling of alcohol will remain prohibited; theaters, cinemas, night clubs, liquor outlets, bars, shebeens will remain closed; sporting events, entertainment events and concerts will remain prohibited
- Stage 3 (02 June 2020 – 30 June 2020) – Retail, hospitality (restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, etc.) and service sectors will be allowed to re-open following social distancing guidelines; gradual opening of borders to selected countries in the region.
- Stage 4 (30 June 2020 – end of state of emergency/mid-September 2020) – Namibia’s borders will re-open internationally, nternational air travel and tourism will resume.
