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Africa News of Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Botswana President heads into self-isolation after Namibia trip

Botswana president, Eric Mogweetsi Masisi Botswana president, Eric Mogweetsi Masisi

Botswana president Eric Mogweetsi Masisi has self-quarantined for 14 days over coronavirus fears.

The President made this decision after returning from Namibia where he attended the swear-in ceremony of President Hage Geingob in Windhoek.

“The rationale for the imposition of self-isolation is that while Namibia has registered three (3) imported cases, and is considered low risk for SARS-Cv-2 transmission at the time of His Excellency the President’s trip to Namibia, the low testing rates in the Region makes that determination difficult and there is a high possibility of undetermined local transmission,” a statement from the Presidency read.

During the period, the President would be tested for coronavirus and would be working from his official residence but quarantined away from his family.” Other members of his entourage have been advised to do the same.

The statement signed by a permanent secretary on government communications also said Masisi during his time in Namibia held talks with his peers on urgent border issues in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other African leaders who attended the inauguration include Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and Joao Lourenco of Angola.

Botswana is one of four countries in the region that has not registered a case of coronavirus as yet. Others include Comoros, Malawi, and Lesotho. So far 43 African countries have recorded cases with over 30 deaths and 122 recoveries, MyNigeria.com gathered.