Covid-19: Namibia extends the adjusted Public Health Regulations until 14 September 2021!

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 33rd Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 13 August 2021 that the current Covid-19 public health measures have been reviewed and some adjustments were proposed. The following regulations will come into force in Namibia, for an extended period of 31 days from Sunday, 15 August 2021 until midnight, Tuesday, 14 September 2021.

• Public gatherings as defined in the regulations have been adjusted to 100 persons per event.
• The curfew in Namibia will remain in force from 22:00 to 04:00 daily.
• Education: All schools and educational institutions in Namibia will operate at full capacity, with strengthened Infection prevention and control measures in place.
• 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.
• The sale of alcohol remains in Namibia prohibited on Saturday to Sunday, except at restaurants, guesthouses and similar establishments with resident guests. On-site consumption of alcohol is allowed with meals at restaurants until 22:00.
• Business operations:
• Gyms, nightclubs, casinos, gambling and betting houses may resume operations, allowing patrons up to half capacity. The number of persons inside a facility may not exceed 50% floor carrying capacity or 100 persons at any one time.
• All contact sports may resume, however without spectators. Management of the various sports codes must ensure the safety of sports persons and staff, during training and games.
• Motor vehicle passenger restrictions remain in force, loading public transport vehicles at half capacity. Vehicles that are transporting tour groups who are travelling together may load such tourists at full capacity.
• Burials: due to COVID-19 must take place within a period of ten days, all the current burial related regulations remain in force. The number of 100 persons per gathering applies to mourners, excluding essential workers.

According to Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, the following regulations are in place for Covid-19 test results upon entry into Namibia:

• A person who enters Namibia with a negtive SARS-COV-2 PCR test result which is older than 72 hours, calculated from the date when the sample for testing was taken, will be subjected to mandatory supervised quarantine for seven days and Covid-19 testing, at his or her own cost.
• Persons who depart from Namibia with a negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test result or a negative PCR test result and re-enter Namibia within seven days from the date the sample was taken for testing are not subject to PCR testing on re-entry into Namibia. This applies also to truck drivers.
• Non-Namibians may enter Namibia either with a PCR negative result or with a de-isolation certificate without being subject to further test or quarantine.