02 Aug 2022

 The Ministry of Health has announced the easing of several COVID-19 protocols including making the wearing of masks in outdoor areas optional effective yesterday.

In a statement, the ministry also states that save for schools, protocols relating to social distancing will also now be optional.

The statement explains that there will no longer be isolation of positive cases unless such isolation has been prescribed by a physician or medical doctor.

The ministry advises people to use their discretion to still follow protocols which are now optional.

It says the decision was taken after reviewing the disease burden in Botswana and globally as well as looking at the high COVID-19 vaccination rate.

The statement further says immediate COVID-19 testing of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people who present themselves at ports of entry will no longer be conducted while unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people will now only require a 72 hour negative PCR test result to be allowed entry into Botswana.

“However, anyone presenting themselves at ports of entry without the requisite documents being the COVID-19 vaccination card or 72 hour negative PCR test result will be tested on arrival at own cost and if positive isolated for five days within the district of the port of entry,” it says.

Despite the development, the ministry advises all those not yet vaccinated or taken their booster dose, to do so. 

COVID-19 vaccination remains an effective and scientifically proven protection against the disease, it says.

The ministry also advises the public that though the disease burden has gone down in the country and globally, COVID-19 has not yet been fully defeated.

As such, precautions should still be taken to ensure safety, especially among elderly people and other vulnerable groups  such as those with chronic illnesses, it says. ENDS