Covid-19: Namibia lifts domestic travel restrictions and cuts the validity of PCR test results!

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 32nd Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 30 July 2021 that the following regulations will come into force for a period of 14 days from 01 August 2021 until midnight on 14 August 2021. The previous set of measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Namibia expires at midnight today (31 July 2021).

• The travel restrictions in Namibia are hereby lifted, permitting the resumption of travel between regions, without a permit, countrywide. The public is however urged to strengthen public health measures at personal and community levels.
• Public Gatherings as defined in the Regulations have been adjusted to fifty (50) persons per event. Any public gathering should not last for more than two hours.
• The curfew in Namibia will remain in force from 22:00 to 04:00 daily.
• Education:
• All schools in Namibia are to resume face-to-face teaching and learning on 04 August 2021, with strengthened Infection Prevention and Control measures in place.
• Grades 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to resume face to face teaching and learning on full- time basis, daily.
• Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres and lower primary grades may resume, but are required to operate in cohorts/shifts.
• The management of educational institutions must ensure the safety of the school environment for employees, learners and students.
• Restrictions related to liquor: The sale of liquor in Namibia remains restricted, on take-away basis between 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, except for those hospitality establishments that have resident guests.
• Business operations:
• All food establishments (restaurants, kapana traders and food vendors) in Namibia may resume on-site meals, subject to compliance with Health & Safety Protocols.
• Businesses deemed to be high-risk, such as Gyms and Sports Clubs remain closed;.
• Spas, Salons and beauty parlours remain open, subject to adherence to mandatory face masks and maintaining physical distance of no less than 1.5 meters.
• Indoor/Outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds may resume operations, subject to adherence to Health & Safety Protocols; and Motor Vehicle Passenger Restrictions remain in force, loading public transport vehicles at half capacity, including for tour operators and shuttle services.
• Burials: due to COVID-19 must take place within a period of ten (10) days, all the current burial related regulations remain in force.
• Test results upon entry into Namibia: The validity of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results will be reduced from seven (7) days to seventy-two (72) hours for all travellers, to safeguard the country. Namibians arriving with a de-isolation certificate within a period of three (3) months will be allowed entry, and not be subject to quarantine.