14 Apr 2021

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng has said the intention of limiting inter-zonal travel was to guard against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and save lives.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, the minister said he did not know when the COVID-19 monitoring system would be fully operational because it was still being strengthened, adding that going forward it would not be automatic for permit application to be successful.

The minister said this when responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Mr Christian Greef.

Also responding to a question from the MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, the minister said previously a number of Batswana travelled to various destinations, including across zones, hence the government implemented movement restrictions.

He further said government statisticians would provide statistics on how the economy was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nkange legislator, Dr Never Tshabang, recommended that people travelling between zones should under-go COVID-19 tests.

Minister Morwaeng welcomed the suggestion, saying 42 000 people travelled to red zones and therefore government would in future test those travelling from red zones.
Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Healy asked if government was guided by scientific evidence when setting up curfew times.

He further requested transparency, saying companies that had won tenders should be published just like it was done by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB).

Minister Morwaeng said the COVID-19 updates were done every Monday and Thursday, and added that all decisions taken were guided by scientific evidence provided by the Presidential Task Team.

He also welcomed the idea of publishing COVID-19 tenders.

Mahalapye West legislator, Mr David Tshere wondered how international tourists were allowed to travel throughout the country during the Easter holidays, yet Batswana were denied permits. ENDS