09 Dec 2020

Ngamiland community has been urged to take the fight against COVID-19 seriously especially that the government is slowly opening up borders for international tourists with majority of them likely to come to North West region.

The region is a tourism destination and many tourists use Maun as a gate way to the Okavango Delta.

North West District Council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho pleaded with the community when updating the ongoing full council about public health issues.

He expressed concern that overall compliance with the health protocols had dropped drastically despite extended efforts to create awareness.

During the months of June up to August 2020, he said a total of 2 826 inspections were conducted in the district and overall compliance to the health protocols stood at 87 per cent.

He called upon the public to observe the protocols and take the fight against coronavirus seriously, adding that it had been observed that the seriousness that the community initially responded to the pandemic had reduced significantly.
Furthermore, Mr Ntsogotlho noted that the overall performance for the last three months from 3 544 inspections, compliance had dropped to 75 per cent.

Common observations, he said were that disinfection plans were no longer available or adhered to, demarcation lines such as markings were no longer visible in shops, while some shops were relaxed in controlling lines hence social distancing was not practiced by customers.

In addition, he said, registers were no longer used properly and that the public hand washing stations were being vandalised while some were not functional.

Mr Ntsogotlho said since the pandemic outbreak, the country had not been able to stop the spread of the virus as the numbers of affected people and deaths related cases still continue to rise.

Ngamiland district so far, he said had registered 56 cases, of which 12 were still active while 44 had recovered, adding that it was fortunate as the district had not registered deaths related cases.

He appealed to the community to continue to fight the pandemic and take heed of government efforts towards total containment of the virus more so that festive season had started.

 “It is very important as citizens of Ngamiland to be strict with COVID-19 safety measures especially that we are expecting more people to come for festive season in our region.

With regards to local travelling during the upcoming holidays, I wish the community could refer to the Presidential COVID-19 Task team message to avoid unnecessary movements,” he added. Ends