Namibia to reopen for international tourism today
According to the latest statement on Namibia’s Covid-19 national response by President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the country’s “targeted international tourism revival initiative”, which was supposed to start on 15 July 2020, has now been approved to commence on 03 August 2020. As of 03 August 2020, international tourists arriving in Namibia will be required to present a 72 hour negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result. Tourists will not be subjected to a mandatory quarantine. They will however be required to remain at their first initial destination in Namibia, for a period of seven days. A test will be conducted during this period and the tourist will be permitted to proceed with their holiday on day seven, provided the test result is negative.
The details of the modalities of the revised “targeted international tourism revival initiative” are to be finalized by a National Task Team that is to be constituted by the Line Minister, comprising of sector representatives and key institutions. According to President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, continuous assessments will be conducted throughout this trial, which will inform and strengthen preparations for the imminent reopening of Namibia’s Points of Entry under the final stage (17 September 2020 – end of state of emergency) of the country’s five-stage strategy to exit the coronavirus lockdown.
President Dr. Hage G. Geingob also announced that the Erongo Region and the special dispensation for the Local Authority Areas of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis will remain unchanged and is hereby extended from 04 August 2020 until midnight on 31 August 2020. The other 13 regions of Namibia will remain under stage four level of restrictions, with the following revised measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus:
Public gatherings are reduced from 250 to 100 persons. The sale of alcohol is to remain on a takeaway basis and for consumption in private dwellings, shebeens and bars. For restaurants and hotels, on-site consumption of alcohol is permitted, as per the current arrangements under stage four. Contact sports will be permitted, but no spectators allowed. Unregistered sports activities that draw crowds must be discouraged in the communities. The public must strictly adhere to the regulations and gealth & hygiene protocols, which are our first line of defense. Members of the public must:
Wear a mask at all times in public spaces Maintain social distancing Avoid crowded public gatherings Avoid unnecessary travel to and from different parts of the country.
The face-to-face mode of instruction is suspended for Early Childhood Devel-opment, preprimary and Grades 1 to 9, across the country from 04 August 2020, for 28 days. Grades 10, 11 and 12 will be permitted to continue with face-to-face instruction. These revised measures under stage four come into effect from midnight on 03 August 2020 to midnight on 17 September 2020.
