15 February 2022
Lindie Dube
All persons intending to travel to Botswana should show proof that they have been fully vaccinated before entry is permitted.
Travellers to Botswana will from this past Monday need to produce proof of being fully vaccinated to gain entry to the country.
Botswana has been known for being part of the countries that have been strict with their border posts since the discovery of Covid-19.
Botswana’s Permanent Secretary for Health Dr. Christopher Nyanga in a Press release stated that;
“When a person is not fully vaccinated, they will be required to present a 72 hour negative PCR Covid -19 test result and undergo Covid-19 at the port of entry, which will be facilitated by the ministry for free. After vaccination, they will be allowed into the country.
“Alternatively, if one has no proof of being fully vaccinated and has no 72 hour negative PCR test result, they will be required to undergo PCR testing at ports of entry at their cost and were necessary quarantine at own risk, while waiting results. If results are negative they will be allowed into the country. If results are positive, they will be allowed to isolate within the district of port of entry, at own cost”.
Citizens and foreign visitors will need to prove they have been fully vaccinated in order to be granted access at any port of entry into Botswana. Unvaccinated people remain barred from visiting Botswana.
The statement further states that a fine and prison terms are contained in a government gazette, which was published on Friday, under the Public Health Act (Prevention of Introduction or Spread of Covid-19).
“A person who refuses to be subjected to the provisions of Section 80 (1) (c) and (d) of the Act commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding P5 000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or to both,” reads the gazette.
“If one has no proof of being fully vaccinated, is not willing to be vaccinated at the port of entry, has no 72 hour negative PCR test result and is not willing to be tested at own cost , they will not be allowed entry into Botswana , if they are foreigners. If they are citizens, they will be liable to a fine of P5 000.00 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both”.
Botswana is one of Africa’s most highly vaccinated countries.
From a population of 2.4 million, at least 73% of the adult demographic have been fully inoculated against Covid-19.
Botswana has nearly 3 million vaccine doses in stock and the country will be offering free shots to visitors at entry points.
Proof of being fully vaccinated is now the most important requirement for entry into Botswana.