From midnight, April 2, 2020, the Southern African state of Botswana will be under a state of emergency, the President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared.
The President said it was necessary to declare a State of Public Emergency for the purpose of taking appropriate and stringent measures to address the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this period of extreme lockdown all individuals across the country will be expected to adhere to a more severe form of social distancing where 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,” added President Masisi.
During this perion, the government of Botswana will put in place interventions under the COVID-19 Relief Fund, key of which is to ensure the provision of psychosocial support to all those affected.
Other essential alleviating measures to be put in place are monetary in nature, while others will necessitate policy adjustments and the objectives of these interventions will be to give support to some workers, stabilise businesses, ensure the availability of strategic supplies and explore opportunities for economic diversification.
