Botswana remains one of Africa’s least impacted countries, one of a handful with less than 100 cases of COVID-19. Government has in the past month taken drastic measures including a strict lockdown.
President Eric Masisi tested negative for the third time on June 1. The wholes parliament was quarantined at a point when a health worker tested positive there.
As part of containment measures, wearing of home-made masks have been made obligatory in public. Data collection has also been a key plank of the response as part of contact tracing efforts.
Schools are also set to reopen along with the trend across parts of Africa. Strict health protocols are to be observed as kids return for lessons. This article concentrates on major updates from the country in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
June 1: President tests negative – again
The government this morning announced that President Eric Masisi was due to be released from home quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19.
“His Excellency went into quarantine following his one day trip to Harare, Zimbabwe on the 19th of May to attend the SADC Extra Ordinary Summit on Politics, Defence and Security,” a statement signed by his press secretary read in part.
This becomes the third time the president has been tested for the virus. First was after he made a trip to Namibia for the investiture of Hage Geingob. The second was last month when a health worker at parliament tested positive during a session he was in attendance.
All lawmakers and persons present were ordered to self quarantine at the time. A number of MPs who flouted the rule were subsequently forced into institutional quarantine.
Lockdown measures were eased last month whiles government also zoned the country as part of virus spread containment measures. Strict health protocols and data entries have been legislated for public offices and private businesses. School also reopen this week with similar measures.
Botswana president tests negative – again ????? – His third quarantine, after SADC trip to Zimbabwe – Previously quarantined after trip to Namibia, after parliament recorded incident – #COVID19 stats: 35 cases, 1 death, 20 recoveries, 14 active cases https://t.co/4FHubbEUWy— Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban ? #StayHome (@AlfaAfrican) June 1, 2020
Major incidents covered previously:
June 1: President tests negative – again
May 31: Tourism top on president’s agenda as reopening continues
May 25: govt prioritize data amid stay away campaign
May 20: Extreme social distancing ends, country zoned
May 19: president in Harare for SADC meeting
May 13: More recoveries, ex-prez leads local donors
May 11: capital Gaborone declared high-risk area, ‘quarantined’
May 10: Regulations on resumption of road transport
May 8: Steve Harvey’s donation arrives, relaxed lockdown starts
May 6: Phased lifting of lockdown starting May 8
May 1: Face masks compulsory in public, shared spaces
April 23: All MPs released from quarantine after tests
April 14: Cabinet donates 10% of salaries towards COVID-1
