…as the country moves to Stage 3
Andrew Kathindi
Visitors and residents of Walvis Bay are now stuck in the coastal town for the next seven days after government in a surprise move placed the coastal town under Stage 1 of the lockdown effective Thursday.
The developments follows a 63-year-old Walvis Bay fisherman and a 47-year-old male truck driver becoming recent national COVID-19 cases and means only essential workers with permits will be allowed to leave the town during the imposed lockdown.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula said that implemented measures were aimed at preventing the further spread of COVID-19 in the Walvis Bay area and beyond.
“You may recall that Case No 21 and Case No 22 are all from Walvis Bay. These two cases have primary contacts of more than 100 between them. The extent of secondary contacts remains unknown. It is for this reason that, while the rest of the country migrates to Stage 3, out of abundance of caution, a special dispensation is introduced for Walvis Bay Local Authority Area,” Shangula said.
Justice Minister, Yvonne Dausab when quizzed on what happens to those who had visited the town and were not aware of government’s intentions to place it into effective lockdown said, “Unfortunately, no one is allowed to leave or go into Walvis Bay unless essential.”
She explained that Walvis Bay employees would have to work from home unless they offer essential services, while residents will also have to stay at home unless going out to purchase groceries. She further said essential service permits that were issued under the first regulations of Stage 1 are still valid.
“This was done this way to ensure people don’t panic travel and try and move out of Walvis Bay, so the decision was very immediate. You cannot leave Walvis Bay as we speak. Factories will continue to operate under the same as conditions as Stage 1,” the minister said.
This comes President Hage Geingob announced that other 13 regions that have been in Stage 2 since 30 April will now be transitioning into Stage 3 of the lockdown, beginning the 1st of June.
“At midnight on Monday 1st June 2020 all 14 regions, with the exception of the Walvis Bay Local Authority Area, will transit from Stage 2 to more moderate precautions under Stage 3, until 29 June 2020, for a period of 28 days or two incubation periods,” said the President.
For the rest of Namibia, business will gradually return to normal operating schedules, but within the scope of a new normal. Public gatherings, including weddings, funerals and religious gatherings will be allowed to operate but may not exceed 50 people.
Theatres, cinemas, libraries, galleries, museums, craft centers, entertainment events, seminars, conferences, workshops and summits may also operate provided they don’t exceed 50 people and adhere to the Operational Guidelines as provided by Ministry of Industrialization and Trade.
For shebeens and bars, the buying and selling of alcohol is only permitted for takeaway only.
The resumption of face-to-face classes for students will be phased in as previously announced by the Ministry of Education.
