09 May 2020

His Excellency the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has expressed delight over the manner in which Botswana and neighbouring countries are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Briefing the media following a virtual meeting with neighbouring countries’ Heads of States and Governments to discuss the regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Masisi said the region was confronted with an unprecedented public health crisis that needed collective efforts to control.

He highlighted that regional collective efforts in the fight against the pandemic was imperative in ensuring that the pandemic did not have severe economic and social impacts in the region.

President Masisi highlighted that even though the pandemic had varying impact per country, information exchange among neighbouring countries was vital for a cohesive regional response to COVID-19 since most countries readied to gradually reopen their economies.

From shared experiences during the meeting, President Masisi indicated that it was evident that the pandemic posed a threat if proper precautions were not in place and thus could result in negative consequences in terms of cost containment and huge economic impact.
 
In adjusting to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, President Masisi indicated that Batswana had to be more self-reliant in food production and industrial products.

He said unlocking the economy needed to be cautiously and carefully considered since there was an omnipresent risk for the virus to multiply, which might lead to reinstatement of more rigid lockdown measures. 

The virtual consultative meeting was chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and the participants were heads of states from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Ends