17 Dec 2020

 Presidential COVID-19 task force coordinator, Dr Kereng Masupu has confirmed that inter-zonal travel requirements remain unchanged for the festive season.

  In an interview with BOPA yesterday, Dr Masupu said one still required a permit to travel across zones.

He was responding stories doing the rounds that one must be subjected a COVID-19 test as a prerequisite for travelling across zones.

Dr Masupu said inter-zonal travellers would only require a permit and therefore those planning to travel during the festive season must apply for one. 

“At this juncture the process for travel remains the same with a permit required to move between zones,” said Dr Masupu.   

He informed Batswana that changes to set COVID-19 rules were announced through formal communication by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the task force through government media platforms.

“Any anticipated change will be done in accordance with the law and a formal and comprehensive communication will be relayed to all concerned parties,” Dr Masupu said.

 He said his team remained committed to putting necessary measures in place should the virus be a concern in any part of the country adding that if the need arose, testing of individuals before travelling to other zones would be imposed.“As for now, travellers are required to produce the usual travel permits at zone barriers when travelling,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health and Wellness permanent secretary, Mr Kabelo Ebineng has said the public had been informed that cross-border associated costs regarding COVID-19 testing and quarantine would be borne by travellers.

He said laws and regulations for curbing the spread of coronavirus should be fully observed by travellers.ends