03 Apr 2020

A period of extreme social distancing means there will be limited road travel, with those engaged in essential service work given permits to travel.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo revealed this during a media briefing in Gaborone on Wednesday.

Mr Segokgo said road public transportation provided by buses, mini-buses (combis) and taxis would generally halt operations during the state of emergency period.

But an exception would be made for public transport operators that would be provided with COVID-19 traveling permits since essential workers would still need to go to work. 

The conditions were that the public transport vehicles given permits would not be allowed to be more than half full on the road, while the passengers they transport should have COVID-19 traveling permits. Minister Segokgo said passenger airplanes and trains will not be operating.

But flights carrying cargo, goods trains as well as trucks carrying essential goods into the country or in transit would continue being permitted to operate, on condition that necessary precautions were taken to combat the spread of the COVID-19 scourge,.

The minister stated that four airports would remain open to cater for the airplanes transporting freight in and out of the country- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Francistown’s PG Matante International Airport as well as Kasane and Maun airports.

He clarified that domestic road travel would not be permitted as normal, but in the extenuating circumstances of people needing to access important services such as healthcare or to purchase basic household goods including food, they would be permitted.

Essential service workers due to continue operating during the period would be issued with special COVID-19 travel documents and other citizens and residents that needed to get on the road would also be required to access permits.

Mr Segokgo revealed that his ministry would in the interim cease issuing some services including temporary road permits, drivers licenses, conversion of foreign driver licenses, roadworthiness certification, as well as theory or practical tests for drivers licenses.

He clarified that licenses in use will continue to be until further notice and no one would be penalised for not renewing permits in the current circumstances.

On the side of communications, Mr Segokgo said Botswana Fibre Networks Limited (BOFINET) has been working to ensure better internet connectivity, improving data traffic by as much as 50 percent, and that service providers would not increase tariffs.

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Lefoko Moagi said the government wanted to focus on the key objectives of support to workers, to stabilize businesses and to ensure the availability of strategic reserves.

Mr Moagi said Botswana Oil had ensured that 3 million litres of fuel has been ordered which would ensure that even if borders were to be completely closed, the country could have sufficient fuel reserves to last 15 days.

He also said that while the fuel cost was being reduced, electricity would be available but at the increased tariff, something the minister explained was necessary to ensure that the country is able to sufficiently provide power during this crucial period.

Mr Moagi further said that mines had been considered to be essential and are thus expected to continue operating through the period of extreme social distancing. ENDS