22 Apr 2020

Opening of a second movement permit allocation site at East Gate Private School is expected to reduce congestion at Selepa Junior Secondary School where people have been flocking to seek permits for purchase of groceries, medical services and other activities.

In an interview, the school head, Ms Orepa Dikomang hailed such a move, saying it would help avoid crowding that could work against social distancing of one to two metres as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Although Selepa JSS initially issued over 80 permits daily, Ms Dikomang said numbers had been cut down to slightly above 30.

“We keep on telling residents that uncomfortable as it maybe, they should not take their eyes off the ball, which is to fight the spread of COVID-19,” she said.

She said however noted that residents had heeded to the advice of extreme social distancing and were abiding by them at all times.

One resident, Ms Pauline Murisa, 50, who was among the many early birds to arrive at the school on April 22 for a permit to buy food said, in an interview, they had no choice but to abide by the extreme social distancing regulation.

Another resident, Ms Esther Letshotelo, 59, who was also looking for a permit to buy food concurred with Ms Murisa and advised Batswana to observe extreme social distancing measures so that the fight against COVID-19 could be won.

On the other hand, 60-year-old Benedict Bayani, who also wanted a permit to buy groceries, said majority of the people he had interacted with at the school knew a lot about COVID-19 and were abiding by the regulations.

“I have been asking for a travel permit to go and attend to my business in Shashe Bridge but have been turned down several times by the district commissioner’s office. It is understandable because unrestricted movement could frustrate government’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic,” he said. Ends