26 Jul 2020

Eight Batswana,  who have been released from a 14-day quarantine at Ga-Maila Lodge in Kanye, have been advised to pay  half of  their lodging costs.

They were taken in for quarantine from Ramatlabama Border Post and they included those who wished to  return home and those who travelled to South Africa  for business purposes

District Health Management Team regional coordinator, Ms Josephine Mosimanewakgosi, said Emergency Powers, Amendment (No.4) Regulations, 2020 empowered the director of health hervices to require persons liable to be quarantined to pay costs of their quarantine.

She  noted that the returning citizens were expected to bear costs of their quarantine and therefore expected to pay 50 per cent of the amount, which in their case amounted to P3500.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi said arrangements had been made with the district commissioner’s office to facilitate payments, adding that action would be taken against those who failed to pay. 

She said those who could not afford to pay at the time of their release, would be given a certain period to have settled the payment.

She also advised that it was crucial for business people, who had intentions to conduct business outside to weigh options and establish whether it was worth to go outside considering the risks and other implications.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi said government had issued permits to those wishing to travel outside the country, however upon return all were expected to undergo a mandatory quarantine.

Ms Mosimanewakgosi those being released for complying with the quarantine requirements, adding that they proved to be responsible citizens.

She also implored them to continue complying with health protocols  aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

She pleaded with them to further distance themselves from other people for seven more days, as a way of ensuring that they were totally free from coronavirus. ends