Botswana
Directions for the Prevention of the Spread of COVID-19: 16 July 2020
Government Notice 284 of 2020
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Published in Government Gazette no. 72 on 16 July 2020
- Assented to on 16 July 2020
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Commenced on 16 July 2020
- [Up to date as at 16 July 2020]
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[Repealed by Directions for the Prevention of the Spread of COVID-19: 29 July 2020 (Government Notice 301 of 2020) on 29 July 2020]
The most effective prevention of transmission of COVID-19 is frequent hand wash with clean water and soap for at least 40 seconds. A person shall wear a cloth face mask or home made item that covers the nose and mouth or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth when in a public place. (a)All persons coming to Botswana from high risk countries (as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)) shall not be allowed entry into the country until further notice;(b)Issuance of Visa at Ports of entry and at all Embassies for any person from high risk areas is suspended with immediate effect until further notice;(c)Current visas of persons from high risk countries are cancelled with immediate effect until further notice;(d)International travel by all Government employees, parastatals and State owned entities is suspended with immediate effect until further notice; and(e)Travel for regional and international meetings, workshops and conferences are cancelled until further notice. (a)A person shall not undertake non-essential travel;(b)A person shall not travel across COVID zones without a permit;(c)A person may only travel across COVID zones to —(i)attend a funeral of an immediate member of the family, or(ii)travel to a farm, ranch, garden, ploughing field (masimo) or cattle post (moraka):Provided that the person has been issued with a permit under the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations; and(d)For purposes of paragraph 4 (c) (i), “immediate member of the family” means a spouse, son, daughter, siblings or parent. All public gatherings of more than 75 people are prohibited:Provided that parties shall not be held. (a)A meeting, workshop or conference shall have a maximum of 75 persons;(b)A person shall not travel across COVID zones for purposes of a meeting, workshop or conference; and(c)Notwithstanding paragraph (b) a convener or facilitator may apply for a permit to cross COVID zones for purposes of a meeting, workshop or conference. (a)A funeral and a memorial service shall have a maximum of 75 persons; and(b)Funeral and memorial services shall not last more than 2 hours and food shall not be provided at such services:Provided that food may be provided for members of the household. Faith-based organisation services shall —(a)Have a maximum of 75 persons;(b)Not last more than 2 hours;(c)Not make provision for food or allow for the sale of food; and(d)Have a maximum of four religious services per week and each service may be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Cultural and traditional occassions shall have a maximum of 50 persons. Cultural and traditional occassions include —(a)Go isa mafoko;(b)Patlo;(c)Magadi; and(d)Kgoroso. A distance of 1 – 2 metres between individual persons shall be maintained in a —(a)Gathering;(b)Bank;(c)Restaurant, including take-away restaurant;(d)Supermarket and shop;(e)Pharmacy;(d)Government service department; and(e)Memorial service. (a)To frequently wash hands with soap and clean water;(b)To ensure easy access to clean water and soap for hand washing at any public gathering where a maximum of 75 persons are allowed;(c)To ensure strict hand washing and surface cleaning for all equipment used during burials;(d)To clean high touch areas with disinfectants. (examples of high touch areas are doors, elevators, counters, etc.);(e)To cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when sneezing or coughing;(f)To avoid direct contact with anyone with cold or flu symptoms;(g)To avoid handshakes, hugs and kisses when greeting each other;(h)To ensure continued safety of other users of health facilities, individuals who have cold or flu symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat) and have had contact with returning travellers shall —(i)Call the number 16649,(ii)Not use public transport, and(iii)If using a private vehicle or on foot, alert health facility officers on arrival before entering the facility; and(i)Information from any other source other than the Director of Health Services and the World Health Organization should not be relied on by the public as credible and correct information.Government Notice No. 183 of 2020 is hereby revoked.Dr. M. Tshipayagae,Director Health Services.
1. Most effective prevention
2. Use of masks in public places
3. Travel
4. Travel across COVID zones
5. Gatherings
6. Local meetings, workshops and conferences
7. Funerals
8. Faith-based organisation services
9. Cultural and traditional occasions
10. Social distancing
11. General advice to the public
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