30 Mar 2020

A total of 43 people who were quarantined at Xanagas Primary School as a precautionary measure to curb possible spread of Coronavirus, have been relocated to some facilities in the Ghanzi District.

The 43, who were returning from Namibia through Mamuno Border Post were relocated on March 29.

Some had already spent five days at the school.   

Speaking to BOPA, Charleshill Sub-district acting deputy district commissioner, Mr William Keareng said thanks to Ncojane and Get Rest guest houses in Charleshill and Pholo Guest House as Kalahari Arms hotel in Ghanzi, quarantined people were relocated to better lodging facilities.

He said the relocation was in accordance with government’s directive to relocate them from school boarding facilities to more decent spaces.

 He said of the 43 people, two wre Botswana residents while the rest were citizens. 

During their stay at the school, he said they were afforded counseling as they were staying under the circumstances they were not accustomed to and away from their families.

Mr Keareng also expressed gratitude to Charleshill Pep Store for donating toiletry and blankets that were used at the school.

Meanwhile principal registered nurse at Mamuno Border Gate health post, Ms Florence Njirayafa stated that as a precautionary measure, truck drivers were advised not to carry unauthorized passengers and avoid unnecessary stopovers.

Immigration administrator, Ms Thato Smuts said movement of people and goods were restricted at the border post. 

She said trucks carrying essential goods or commodities to Botswana as well as those on transit were exempted from the travel ban. 

As a result of the restrictio, Ms Smuts said the number of travelers crossing at Mamuno Border Gate had declined.

A Unitrans truck driver, Mr Roger Tsetse also confirmed in an interview that unauthorized passengers were prohibited in the company. 

“It is a policy and we encourage other truck drivers not to disobey the policy, said Mr Tsetse.” ENDS