Botswana’s ministry of health and wellness has announced quarantine protocols aimed at curbing the coronavirus from spreading to that country and which has bearing on South African road hauliers.
According to a statement about “Covid-19 preparedness and response at ports of entry”, Botswana nationals coming in from other countries are to all undergo mandatory quarantine at specific sites designated by the ministry.
It added that “non-citizens should not be allowed (in) except for those delivering essential commodities such as food, medical supplies, fuel and agricultural supplies”.
Travelers in transit to other countries must be allowed in the country (Botswana), according to the statement.
They will, however, be subjected to quarantine protocols that “will not hamper their transit”.
Another statement, also issued by Botswana’s ministry of health and wellness, took a much tougher stand with South Africa.
It reads as follows: “To further strengthen the Covid-19 prevention measures, all people coming from the Republic of South Africa through the Martin’s Drift, Ramatlabama, Pioneer Gate, Tlokweng borders and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport will be placed under mandatory quarantine for 14 days at facilities that have been identified.
“The decision was taken in the view that the Republic of South Africa is affected by Covid-19 and has sustained local transmission. The objective of this mandatory quarantine is to minimise the introduction, transmission and the spread of Covid-19 in Botswana.
“Only Batswana and Botswana residents will be allowed into the country during this period.”
People refusing quarantine have been warned that they will be fined. According to the statement no cases of the virus, as last reported on March 23, have been recorded in Botswana.
