26 Aug 2021

Government is desirous to exit the state of emergency (SOE), but will more importantly be informed by science and disease burden, Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Minister, Mr Kabo Morwaeng told Parliament yesterday, August 26.

The minister, who was answering a parliamentary question, indicated that work was ongoing in preparation for the SOE exit. 

 “Since the declaration of the State of Emergency in April 2020, measures are continuously being put in place and adjusted in line with the evolving nature of the disease. To this effect, government has been implementing sectorial plans facilitated by ministries, departments and agencies. I am happy that we are now beginning to realise positive results,” He said.

He noted statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, showed that during the first half of August the country registered 10 057 cases across all zones, which was a 24 per cent decrease from the preceding week.

“This is the first time we witness a decline in the number of new infections. In addition, the number of active cases which has been fluctuating over time, now appears to have dropped from a peak of 17 358 on August 6 to 12 798 on August 10,” he said.

Minister Morwaeng said COVID-19 had exposed specific gaps in the capabilities of laws, policies and regulations in managing the pandemic.

As such, a holistic assessment of the laws to determine their adequacy or otherwise in managing the disease was ongoing.

“The assessment of these laws will result in the required amendments. This process will ensure that we have COVID-specific legislation across the sectors.”

Minister Morwaeng also acknowledged the negative economic effects brought about the disease ,hence government was doing everything possible to mitigate its impact.

However, COVID-19 had other negative consequences beyond economic ones, including death, emotional trauma and a strain on the health sector, and it was for that reason, that government had, as part of the Reset Agenda, prioritised saving lives. To that end government had embarked on the ongoing national vaccination drive, which it was continuously working to enhance.

“In conclusion, we hope for there to be no reason for an extension of the current State of Public Emergency, but, as earlier said, only science and the disease burden will inform us at the end of the current State of Public Emergency, as well as at any other point of need for decision making in future. At the end of the day, it is this august House that will have a final say on whether or not to continue with the State of Public Emergency.”

Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked the minister to state what his ministry was doing in preparation for the expiration of the SOE next month  and if it would consider an amendment to existing laws or come up with specific COVID -19 legislation to avert the imposition of another SOE.

Mr Lucas had also wanted the minister to state government’s plan to avert the situation should the pandemic protract for the next two years. Ends