03 Jun 2020

Batswana have been urged to identify and encourage farmers who supplied farm produce during lockdown in order to increase food production to help the country attain self-sufficiency.

 Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane, also Boteti West MP, made the call  in Letlhakane on Monday during a meeting with Boteti COVID-19 task team.

He also called on citizens to be innovative and produce goods to reduce imports adding that they should learn something from COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Tsogwane urged business owners to cut down prices, taking into consideration the  difficulties thrust on the nation by COVID-19 pandemic,

In addition, the vice president warned that increasing prices was illegal under the State of Emergency.

On another matter, Mr Tsogwane said it was impossible to close borders completely because Botswana was a transit route for many countries and also imported a lot of goods which were ferried by people.

He revealed that standardized immigration protocols were being developed and would apply to all countries. Government, he said, would continue to put measures in place to control the spread of Corona-virus by conducting contact tracing.

He told his listeners that although no COVID-19 case had ever been registered in Boteti, it did not mean the area was protected and safe.

Mr Tsogwane said the easing of restrictions came with its own challenges therefore random inspection was critical.

All health protocols should be adhered to in religious gatherings, funerals and other events.

District officer for development, Mr Goaletsa Keitumetse informed the meeting that all the people quarantined in Boteti tested negative for COVID-19.

He said washing basins had been installed in schools which had also been disinfected.

On the awarding of tenders during lockdown, he said preference was given to locals with 617 suppliers  in Boteti  recommended. Ends