03 Jun 2020

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation wishes to inform the public that government has facilitated the safe return of 94 Batswana who were stranded in various countries, due to COVID-19 related lockdowns and travel restrictions.

In a press release, the ministry says the group is expected to arrive at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in the afternoon  of June 2 on board an Ethiopian Airline's special flight. It also says the repatriation exercise was recently announced by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, during his address to the nation on May 30.

The group of 94 passengers comprises of students and other Batswana who were overseas either on business or visiting, states release. “The 94 passengers are from over 10 different countries which include, Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The passengers will be quarantined for 14 days at designated facilities in Gaborone.

"This will be the first air repatriation of Batswana since the outbreak of COVID-19. Other repatriation exercises have primarily been in the Southern Africa region and have so far resulted in over 400 Batswana and permanent residents being facilitated to safely return home from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia,” says the press release.

ENDS