19 Nov 2020

The Director of Health Services Dr Malebogo Kebabonye has ordered the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Mr Tumiso Rakgare is under quarantine as a safety measure against COVID-19.

This follows Minister Rakgare’s visit to Port Elizabeth where he attended a COSAFA Women’s championship final between South Africa and Botswana.

The announcement was made to Parliament by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti who explained that as a responsible citizen Minister Rakgare was assumed to be consistent with the laid down health measures.

“In considering the situation of Mr Rakgare’s travel to South Africa and return to base within 24hours the following can be drawn using the current operating standard practice.

There is no indication for immediate quarantine for Minister Rakgare and that his test results can be considered upon re-entry into Botswana. It is assumed that the two countries are implementing and enforcing similar social protective measures and as such minister Rakgare is assumed to be consistent in his practice of the said measures,” he said.

Dr Dikoloti said based on the spreading pattern and density of the disease, Botswana and in particular greater Gaborone was at a higher rate of transmitting COVID-19 as opposed to South Africa.

He said following the relaxation of travel restrictions, all arriving travellers would be expected to present evidence of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction testing within 72 hours prior to arrival if the traveller had been outside the country for 36 hours or longer.

He said they would be expected to present evidence that they had been outside Botswana for less than 36 hours so as to be allowed  entry without the requirement for evidence of COVID-19 PCR testing obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival.

He said travellers would be prepared to undertake mandatory testing and possible isolation and or quarantine as per section 76 (1) (2) and 80 of the Public Health Act if found to have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

He said returning citizens and resident not meeting the requirements would undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine and testing at their own cost.

Legislators took to the floor and expressed disappointment about lack of adherence to COVID-19 protocols.  

The matter came to the Speaker’s attention after Maun East MP Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile complained about minister Rakgare presence in Parliament despite his recent travel to South Africa.

Still in Parliament, the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Kabo Morwaeng explained the Botswana Television (Btv) blackout in live parliamentary transmission early this week.

He said some cables between the Mass media complex studios and GICC where the current sitting of Parliament was underway were reportedly stolen and that led to the break in transmission.

He expressed commitment to bringing the transmission to normal with the provision of a backup satellite flyaway kit.

Mr Morwaeng said broadcasting of parliamentary debates was still at an infancy stage and challenges would be incurred along the way some due to unforeseen circumstances.

He told Parliament that the department would improve its monitoring going forward. Ends