Covid-19 – Page 27 – Windhoek Observer

06 May

Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, tourism

. . . as government continues to delay N$400m subsidy Andrew Kathindi Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta has said that the tourism sector could lose at least N$20 billion in anticipated revenues and fixed assets by the end of 2020 due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Namibia has received no inbound tourists since international borders of all countries were virtually closed to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Minister has told the Windhoek Observer that he believes that it is most likely that the tourism sector in Namibia will pick up only after…

06 May

Conservation sustainability gets N$16 million boost

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19

Andrew Kathindi A total of N$16 million has been raised for the Conservation Relief, Recovery and Resilient Facility which aims to address the long-term impacts associated with COVID-19 on the sustainability of the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Program in Namibia. Of this amount, the Namibia Association for CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will receive N$7.5 million. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) pledged an amount of N$1.5 million, while Nedbank Namibia has pledged an amount of N$1 million to the project. This amount is about a quarter of the conservancy income from tourism operations…

06 May

Masks: the cart before the horse

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19

The national phased plan to reopen Namibia is not Namibian. We have cut-and-pasted regulations suited to other people’s COVID-19 situations. However, prevention of the pandemic is not always a one-size-fits-all proposition. The Phase 2 demand that masks be worn by everyone while in public has given rise to this concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) website clearly states that there is no need for ALL citizens to wear masks. On the contrary, they cite that ONLY those working with patients in hospitals, those who are ill or living with those who are, the immune-compromised, and essential health care and safety…

04 May

The Time Traveler: Criminalizing fake news is not the way

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Government Gazette

Hugh Ellis It seems that Government may criminalize the spreading of fake news on the Coronavirus pandemic, during the current state of emergency. In terms of regulations published in the Government Gazette, it is now (at least technically) a criminal offense to publish a statement, including on social media, that is intended to deceive people about the Covid-19 status of someone or about measures intended to combat, prevent and suppress the disease. Offenders may be fined N$2000 or face six months imprisonment. Readers of this column will know I despise fake news, and have little time for those who spread…

04 May

Disagreement is NOT a personal attack

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Presidential Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari

Jackie Wilson Asheeke I have much respect for the intelligence and openness of Presidential Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari. But, in reading his last missive in defense of the president, I am disappointed. He included a section where he seems to say that the massive loss of public support for Geingob in the last elections was due to biased media reporting. I strongly disagree with that conclusion and hold up a hand of caution. It is one thing to defend your boss to keep him sweet. It is quite another thing to assign blame to the media because he dropped significantly…

04 May

Read the fine print before cheering

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia

The statement that the devil is in the details is spot on. As people slog through the criteria, rules, and exceptions attached to the announced COVID-19 financial support plans, all that glitters is not gold. Before giving more applause to the headline-grabbing announcements of N$8.1 billion for this or N$400 million for that or N$700 million for these, people must step back, take a deep breath. Read the fine print. Fact: Namibia was broke before COVID-19 hit and the coffers were dry. This remains the case. The money that is being bandied about is coming from sleight of hand by…

04 May

Founding father donates to COVID-19

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Founding President Sam Nujoma

Staff Writer Founding President Sam Nujoma handed over a donation of basic necessities and food parcels valued at a total of N$40,500 to the Office of the Prime Minister to be used in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. “Indeed, following the declared state of emergency by the Head of State and the subsequent lockdown of the whole country on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the gradual ease on the lockdown, we are aware that our government has established a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism. The government has asked all stakeholders such as private health sector, the business community…

04 May

Namibia eases lockdown measures

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, State of Emergency

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob on Wednesday announced that the country will be easing its lock down measures on the 4th of May at midnight but the country’s State of Emergency declared on 17 March 2020 will remain place for six months. “The countrywide lockdown will lapse at midnight on Monday the 4th May 2020. Based on our experience, available data and gauging our level of national preparedness, there is merit to relax some of the restrictions,” he said. The President announced that the country in conformity with global guidelines on the national response to COVID-19. The country will follow…

30 Apr

Lure customers back to the shops

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, lockdown

…50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing Business owners lament each day they are unable to open; it means more losses. And, they are correct. But, the crisis is not one-sided. All the businesses in the world could be open, but without customers, what’s the point? Just opening doors is not the end of the nightmare, it is just the beginning. Stores and shops must invest in encouraging timid former consumers to come out and spend money. Lockdown showed many people the things they can live without. Someone used to buying fresh bread every day learned…

30 Apr

Halted infrastructure projects to cost Govt

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, lockdown

…TransNamib juggles lockdown decline in transport demand Andrew Kathindi The decision by the government to halt construction activity in the country as part of the lockdown regulations could come back to haunt it. It has emerged that the government may be obliged to pay millions more to complete the various infrastructure projects. The current lockdown prohibits a gathering of more than 10 people. Non-essential workers must stay at home. This has halted construction projects, including national road works countrywide. “With these works halted across the country, such as the Okahandja highway and Hosea Kutako upgrades and social infrastructure development at…