GABORONE, July 6 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Botswana remains one of Africa’s least impacted countries, one of a handful with less than 100 cases of COVID-19. Government has in the past month taken drastic measures including a strict lockdown.
President Eric Masisi tested negative for the third time on June 1. The wholes parliament was quarantined at a point when a health worker tested positive there.
The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has been shut “due to COVID-19 exposure,” government confirmed on Friday.
“… in line with the precautionary protocol measures the Ministry Headquarters will provide its services remotely until further notice.
“The Ministry Headquarters in Gaborone will be closed to the public and visitors,” an official statement added.
Botswana has confirmed 89 Covid-19 cases, with active cases at 63 and 25 recoveries. Only one death was reported.
Meanwhile, President Masisi is in quarantine following the discovery of a positive case on one of the officers “closely serving” him. It will be the fourth time the president is quarantining.
A statement from his office confirming the incident read in part: “The Office of the President regrets to inform that due to the discovery of a positive Covid-19 test result last night on one of the officials closely serving His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.
“… the usual Covid-19 precautionary protocols have been activated, resulting in the immediate self-quarantine of His Excellency the President and some of his inner circle of officials. Contact Tracing is continuing and further updates will be made in the course of time,” it added.
The presidential task force for COVID-19 reported that it had recorded success in mandatory testing of cross border travellers, after one such traveler tested positive.
The said traveler – an undocumented migrant, who came into contact with about 15 security officers in Gaborone and other primary contacts is currently receiving treatment. She was reported to authorities by residents of a compound where she stayed. — NNN-AFRICANEWS
