18 Apr 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged Batswana to take heath protocols seriously if they want to grow the economy and open the tourism sector.

Speaking during launch of the Mawana power infrastructure project on Thursday, President Masisi said both COVID-19 infections and death rates continued to rise due to non-compliance to the protocols.

He said the number of COVID-19 deaths for April stood at 246 nationwide, while last month there were 199 deaths, something which he said was scary because there was rapid increase within a short period of time.

The country, he said, experienced a spike during the festive season since there was a lot of inter-zonal movement.

Dr Masisi said it was a pity that some people ignored the health precautions and engaged in recreational activities such as boat excursions in some areas such as Maun and Chobe.

Some, he said, celebrated weddings or attended funerals without adhering to the stipulated numbers. 

The President thus urged Batswana to join forces with the government to fight COVID-19, by conducting themselves in an acceptable manner and adhering to health safety measures. 

He urged Batswana to also lock themselves in their homesteads and always adhere to health precautions such as wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands with water and soap as well as sanitising, among others.

For her part, Batawana Regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi said President Masisi’s presence was a comfort since they were negatively affected by the pandemic.

The pandemic, she said, had brought sorrow to many families that lost their loved ones, while some lost jobs, especially in the tourism industry.

Kgosi Moremi stated that the residents largely depended on the tourism industry, which was among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

She also thanked government for the Mawana power substation project, saying it would enhance power supply and stimulate the local economy.

Meanwhile, the Ngamiland leadership was reportedly doing all in its power to facilitate compliance to COVID-19 protocols in the district.

Following the spike experienced during festive season, the District Emergency Operation Committee (DEOC), resolved to revive village COVID-19 emergency response teams across the district, to help in ensuring compliance

The DEOC secretary, Dr Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe revealed that as of April 13, the region had recorded 1829 cases, with 1695 recoveries and 74 active cases as well as 60 deaths. ENDS