Botswana: Authorities reinstate lockdown in Gaborone July 30 /update 11

Event

On Thursday, July 30, health authorities announced that the Greater Gaborone region would be placed under lockdown from midnight on Thursday for two weeks due to a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the capital. The announcement came after 30 new cases were recorded in Gaborone in the previous 24 hours. Under the measures only essential workers will be able to leave their homes for work, while others will only be able to go out to buy food and for other essential purposes. All gatherings will be banned and hotels, restaurants, gyms, and schools will close.

A nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic ended on May 22 and in the capital on June 15. Businesses have been able to resume and schools reopen, albeit under strict health protocols. Other restrictions remain in place, including the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in taxis. The country has been divided into nine coronavirus zones, with permits required to travel between the zones. International flights remain suspended and land borders are closed.

As of Friday, July 31, there have been 804 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Botswana and two associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.