20 Jul 2018

The moment the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, most countries moved swiftly to strategize on the best prevention measures and management plans for those already affected.

South Africa having recorded high numbers of confirmed cases, standing at over 900 as at March 26, took a decision to lockdown from March 26 to April 16.

Fear and panic was felt across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Consequently, the Botswana government took a decision to impose mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travelers entering the country, in an effort to maintain the zero case record and prevent the spread of the virus.

“If you feel you are out of your comfort zone, we are all out of our comfort zone; the world is out of its comfort zone,” said the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Kwape while addressing hundreds of people who had just entered the country through various borders on March 24.

Following South Africa’s lockdown and Botswana’s mandatory quarantine, and the possibility of lockdown in Botswana, truckers who plight their trade within the region began to feel the pinch.

Even though they appreciate the health precautions taking place at the borders, the truck drivers said theirs was a high risk job characterised by uncertainty.

“We have been given health monitoring cards at the borders in which we self-monitor and record any suspicious symptoms but that does not eliminate the risk associated with our job.

We are still at risk because we travel a lot and meet a lot of people on the way, hence exposing ourselves to the coronavirus,” lamented Thapelo Ramoruswa of South African-based Stella Transport.

He said his company transports explosives to Jwaneng mine and they made trips almost every day.

He noted that even though the new precautionary measures had helped reduce traffic on the Trans-Kalahari highway, they still wished there could be a complete shutdown to allow the countries to manage the virus.

However, he said that in addition to the sanitizing amenities provided by his employer, which include a built-in camera to ensure that they do not give people a lift, he also self-quarantined for a few days during off days.

“I ensure that when I am off duty I quarantine myself for about three days to protect my family. The expectation is that any coronavirus symptoms would show during this period,” he said.

Another truck driver, Daniel Mabeti from Zambia said even though the COVID-19  pandemic caught the world by surprise, he appreciated the efforts by the Botswana government to keep the information flowing.

He said he arrived in Botswana on February 25 to collect goods bought through an auction sale at Jwaneng mine and heard about his country’s confirmed cases while in Botswana.

“I really applaud the Botswana government for communicating important information through various media. I learnt a lot during my stay here on how to take care of myself and those around me.

I will surely make use of these precautions when I get to my home country to prevent further spreading,” he noted. ENDS