15 Aug 2021

Government  has announced several COVID-19 fighting measures to be implemented over a three-week period beginning midnight of August 16.

 Making the announcement Friday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said curfew hours, hitheto 10pm-4am, were now 8pm-4am.

 He said reopening of schools would be delayed by a further three weeks except for classes preparing to write final examinations.

In addition, all public gatherings, including kgotla meetings, pre-funeral prayers, weddings and pre-wedding traditional activities were suspended.

He said the alcohol ban remained in place until further notice.

Also being maintained is the number of people at religious gatherings and church services at a maximum of 50 as well as frequency at twice a week.

Funerals will now be conducted within a period of five days from date of death while inter-zonal movement continues to be restricted to essential travel only.

The President said different ministers and permanent secretaries would elaborate more on the new measures.

He further said restrictions would be accompanied by acceleration of the vaccination programme.

Dr Masisi said he felt compelled to address the nation on the pandemic given the worsening COVID-19 burden, rising infections and loss of lives on a daily basis.

“COVID-19 infections continue to increase and the current projections show that our nation may not have reached the peak or plateau. Our nation has reached the highest prevalence ever. Almost all zones have turned white which represents a disease burden above 50 persons per 100 000 persons,” he said.

President Masisi urged the public to verify COVID-19 related information before believing or publicly sharing it.

He also pleaded with the nation to continue adhering to  COVID-19 health protocols. ENDS