Botswana has introduced a gradual lifting of a five-week lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus on Friday.
The announcement was made by Botswana’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane.
The lifting, effective May 8, 2020, will see businesses and schools operating, subject to indicated conditions.
Churches will also be allowed to conduct services twice a week, with a maximum of 50 people allowed in each service.
According to GardaWorld, the world’s largest privately owned security company, the sale of alcohol and cigarettes will remain prohibited until further notice.
“Authorities had earlier announced that the use of face masks in public is mandatory, and those who do not respect the measures will be subject to fines,” says the report.
Authorities have drawn Botswana into nine zones to curb the spread of the COVID-19 and people are not allowed to undertake non-essential travel across these zones for the period of the State of Emergency in Botswana.
“Individuals will also be permitted to travel to attend the funeral of an immediate family member or to access a farm, while nonessential travel remains banned.”
The zones include the Greater Gaborone zone, Greater Francistown zone, Greater Palapye, Boteti zone, Greater Maun zone, Chobe zone and the Kgalagadi zone.
