28 Apr 2020

Some residents of Kasane and surrounding villages have commended President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for extending the current 28-day lockdown.

President Masisi announced on April 27 that the current 28-day national extreme social distancing period would be extended by a week from May 1 to 7 and a further two weeks, during which the lockdown would be assessed and rules eased gradually in a phased manner.

Kgosi Johannes Chika of Parakarungu said he was pleased with how President Masisi made a skilful balance because the extended period was made in such a way that it would ease the lockdown.

He said there was no how the President could not extend the lockdown, looking at the fact that neighbouring countries were also in lockdown.

He appealed to Batswana in general to continue staying at homes, wash their hands with clean water and soup as well as cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing.

A resident of Newstance ward in Kazungula, Ms Goseame Kashweka also supported the President's decision, saying COVID-19 was still a threat, more so that many people have not been tested.

She suggested that he could have extended further than three weeks so that 'this killer disease is totally eradicated'. She opined that President should delay the opening of the borders even after the lockdown ends.

Also supporting the extension was Ms Lesheto Ndau of Flowertown, who said the President took the right decision to extend the lockdown.

She explained that the only way to control and contain the disease was through lockdown as evidenced by countries that had done the same earlier.

However, for Ms Taboka Gaoratwe, even though she fully understands the purpose behind the extension, the announcement brought frustration as it spelt three more weeks of remaining indoors. “Ke lapisitswe ke go nna mo ntlong,” meaning that she is tired of being indoors. ENDS