In response to the escalating COVID-19 positive cases recorded in the country over the past weeks, President Hage Geingob on Tuesday announced stringent measures including locking down Windhoek, Okahandja and Rehoboth for a period of 14 days.
Entry into these local authority areas are restricted with the exception of returning residents, essential service providers in possession of the relevant permit, emergency medical cases and the transportation of human remains to other regions for burials.
Further amendments made on the currently enforced public health measures announced on 28 May 2021 and set to expire on 30 June 2021 include the reduction of public gatherings from 50 to 10 persons per event, which the president said should not be more than two hours long.
The sale and purchasing of liquor from shebeens and bars has also been restricted to take-away basis only from 09h00 to 18h00 between Monday and Saturday, however on-site consumption of liquor at restaurants, guesthouses, hotels and similar establishments where guests reside, is permitted.
Similarly, kapana traders may only operate for take-away and private consumption.
“Gambling houses and nightclubs are deemed to be high-risk under the circumstances and will not be permitted to operate,” said Geingob.
The president added that to make adequate provision for physical distancing and to avoid overloading in vehicles, all public transport operators may only load passengers to half the capacity of their vehicle.
Moving to the issue of education, Geingob said face-to-face teaching and learning for primary, secondary schools and institutions of higher education in the Windhoek, Okahandja and Rehoboth districts have been suspended effective from 17 June to 30 June 2021.
He added that, for the rest of the country, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka will announce a ‘winter holiday’ with exception for grades 10, 11 and A-levels.
Contact sports remain prohibited and no spectators are permitted at live sporting events.
The current curfew was not amended and will remain as is, from 22h00 to 04h00. COVID-19 burials should also take place within seven days and meals after burials should be served on a take-away basis only.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
