Botswana extends the state of emergency by another six month!

The Government of Botswana has extended the state of emergency for another six month until March 2021 to combat the spread of Covid-19. The country's President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced in an extraordinary meeting of Botswana's National Assembly on 27 September 2020 that the extension will allow the Government to introduce a different set of regulations geared at preventing the further spread of the disease. These measures inlcude controlling the movement of people, restricting public gatherings, the prohibition of entry into the republic by non-citizen, suspension of the retrenchment of workers and certain laws, as well as the provision of payment of people affected by the regulation. President Masisi added the state of emergency will be used solely for the purpose of fighting the spread of the Covid-19 in Botswana. 

Botswana first declared a state of public emergency with effect from 02 April 2020 for an initial 21 days which was later extended for six months until  02 October 2020.

Namibia ends COVID-19 State of Emergency! [update]

update (24 September 2020): The Government of Namibia has released the current Covid-19 restrictive measures. These regulations come into effect today and cease to have effect at 24:00 on 21 October 2020.

update (18 September 2020): According to Namibia's Attorney General Festus Bandeka, certain restrictions will remain in place under the new dispensation to deal with COVID-19:

• wearing of masks remains mandatory
• restrictions for public transport remain in place
• public gatherings will remain at 50
  

Restrictions have been lifted for alcohol to be sold for on-site consumption until 22:00 and gambling, casinos will be allowed to operate as well until that time. The restrictions around Khomas region have also been removed and curfew is lifted while borders are open through Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek.

Namibia's President Dr. Hage G. Geingob has announced during a media briefing to update the nation on the latest COVID-19 situation in the country on 17 September 2020 that Namibia's COVID-19 State of Emergency, along with current regulations, is due to lapse at midnight tonight (17 September 2020). The COVID-19 State of Emergency in Namibia was declared six month ago on 17 March 2020.
The Government of Namibia will monitor the situation for a period of 14 days to determine the way forward under a new dispensation. When warranted, risk-appropriate measures will be introduced. As from 18 September 2020, new directives will be issued by Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services, in terms of the provisions of the Public and Environment Act. We'll keep you posted.

Coronavirus pandemic: Mozambique enters "situation of public calamity" for an indefinite period!

The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, announced in a televised speech to the nation on 04 September 2020 that from today (07 September 2020) the "state of emergency" in Mozambique is getting replaced by a "situation of public calamity" for an indefinite period as a way to maintain the COVID-19 preventive measures. According to the President, most of the current measures remain the same, but with some relaxations on restrictions. Mozambique's borders are open from today and international flights are allowed again. Beaches are also open and religious services of up to 250 people are permitted. Bars are still closed and the use of masks in public places remains mandatory except during physical activities.
As of 04 September 2020, Mozambique had 4,207 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. A total of 2,370 individuals have recovered from the disease.

Mozambique: President Nyusi announces another 30 days of state of emergency!

The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, announced in a televised speech to the nation on 05 August 2020 that the country will enter another 30 days of state of emergency starting on 08 August 2020 and ending on 06 September 2020. The Government of Mozambique will also implement a three-stage strategy to to gradually resume social and economic activities. The first stage is set to start on 18 August 2020 and will last until 31 August 2020. In stage one (activities of low risk), face-to-face classes in higher education institutions, teacher-training, technical-professional, health institutes and military academies will be allowed to resume. Religious gatherings with no more than 50 people will also be allowed. During stage two (01 September 2020 - 29 October 2020; activities of medium risk) cinemas, casinos, gyms, and driving schools will reopen. In the final stage three (30 October 2020 - ???; acitivities of high risk), Grade 12 face-to-face classes will resume, while other grades will be resumed as soon as sanitation conditions are qualified.
According to President Nyusi, many other activities that were not mentioned will be subject to the regulations to be defined by the council of ministers. We'll keep you updated!
As of 06 August 2020, Mozambique has 2,079 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 778 in which the patients have recovered, and 15 deaths.

Coronavirus pandemic: Mozambique has extended the State of Emergency until 29 July 2020! [update]

update (31 July 2020): Mozambique's constitution limits the "state of emergency" to 120 days. The country's President, Filipe Nyusi, declared the "state of emergency" for the first time on 01 April 2020 for 30 days and extended it for three further 30 day periods. The last period ended on 29 July 2020. As of today, no measures to replace the "state of emergency" have been announded by the Government of Mozambique. As of July 30, 2020, Mozambique has 1,808 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 638 in which the patients have recovered, and 11 deaths. We'll keep you posted!

The Government of Mozambique has extended the countrywide State of Emergency in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by another 30 days until 29 July 2020. According to the Mozambique's President, Filipe Nyusi, the country relaxes some measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the extended State of Emergency and allows certain sectors to resume activities. These sectors include education, business, culture and tourism. In terms of tourism, Mozambique plans to reopen for visitors and flights from selected countries. Restaurants are allowed to reopen, while bars remain close. As of 01 July 2020, Mozambique had 889 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 232 in which the patients have recovered, and 6 deaths.

Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana extends nationwide lockdown before easing restrictions!

The Government of Botswana has extended the national lockdown period to curb the spread of the coronavirus by one week starting from 01 May 2020 to 07 May 2020. The extended lockdown period is followed by further two weeks during which the lockdown will be sequentially eased (08 May 2020 to 22 May 2020). The extension of the current twenty eight (28) day lockdown will be implemented in the following phases:
Phase 1: Extension of the current lockdown period conditions by one week (01 May 2020 - 07 May 2020). During this period, the Government of Botswana will also develop and finalize regulations for a phased lifting of lockdown rules in low risk sectors.
Phase 2: Starting from 08 May 2020 to 14 May 2020, the Government of Botswana will lift in a phased manner, some lockdown rules while at the same time introducing additional plans for further lifting of the remaining lockdown rules.
Phase 3: From 15 May 2020 to 22 May 2020, which will be the final week of the lockdown extension, the Government of Botswana will be lifting the remaining rules from the original lockdown rules implemented on 31 March 2020.
As of 28 April 2020, Botswana has recorded 22 cases of COVID-19, including one death, and has tested 6,210 of its 2.2 million inhabitants.

Coronavirus pandemic: Mozambique has declared a State of Emergency for 30 days!

The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, has declared the State of Emergency for 30 days from 01 April 2020 on midnight due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During the period, the movement of individuals in Mozambique will be limited and all kinds of public and private meetings, such as sports, cultural activities and religious ceremonies, will be prohibited. The President also declared mandatory 14-day quarantine for all people who have travelled outside Mozambique during the past month. President Nyusi did not mention how e.g. the restrictions on people's movement will be enforced, but referred to the country's Cabinet, which will announce further details of Mozambique's measures to curb the spread the coronavirus during the State of Emergency.

Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana has declared a State of Emergency for 28 days!

The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared a State of Emergency for 28 days starting from the 02 April 2020 at midnight due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During this period, all individuals in Botswana will be expected to adhere to a more severe form of social distancing*. Movement out of the home is only restricted to those performing essential services and transporting essential goods. Those involved will be permitted to travel using the COVID-19 TRAVEL PERMIT that will be issued by Government. According to President Masisi, the measures are taken to limit the spread of the diseases that are transmitted among humans.

*By social distancing Botswana's Government refers to any public measure taken to reduce interaction and contact between persons.