Govt falls to pressure to revoke border vaccine directive
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday March 22, 2022 06:00
Government recently introduced a public health regulation that required all people aged 12-years-old and over to provide proof of full vaccination when they arrive in the country from February 14 onwards. The revised regulation also made it mandatory for those who were not fully vaccinated to do so before entry at the border. However, the Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti gazetted revoked guidelines on Thursday, removing the mandatory border entry vaccination.
This now means that one no longer needs a booster to enter the country if they have not taken it. It is said that a sudden change in the guidelines on mandatory border entry vaccination came this week as a result of pressure, following the death of South African, Bongani Mbonani who died in the country after taking a booster shot at the border. Another issue that is said to have put government under pressure is the recent court case brought against government by a Motswana lawyer, Dikeledi Phoo Dingake, challenging the mandatory vaccine.
Mbonani, who is a music promoter of South African artist Slikour died last Wednesday after being in a coma for two weeks at Gaborone Private Hospital. It is said that Mbonani collapsed and suffered a brain haemorrhage after taking a booster shot at the border when he entered the country on March 4 for the inaugural Creative Arts Workshop held in Gaborone. According to a statement from the workshop organisers, the government took full responsibility following the incident and promised to take care of his medical expenses until his unfortunate passing.
The statement from the organisers said that following his death, Mbonani’s devastated family then implored the Botswana government to scrap the mandatory border vaccine, as they believe it is to blame for their son’s death. Although Dikoloti was not available for comment on his mobile, it is said that the decision to revise the regulations was due to pressure following the two incidents. When contacted for comment, Dikoloti’s assistant Sethomo Lelatisitswe referred this reporter to the acting director of Health Services Dr Pamela Smith-Lawrence as she said she is the one in charge. However, Smith-Lawrence’s mobile phone was not available.
According to the new regulations, Public Health (Prevention of Introduction or Spread of COVID-19) Order, 2022, (1), a person who wishes to enter into Botswana shall, at the port of entry, on presenting proof that he or she is fully vaccinated, be allowed entry. (2) Where the proof under subparagraph (1) is not presented, a person shall on entry present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, or any other test result as the director may determine, not older than 72 hours from the time of testing and at his or her own cost be required to undertake immediate COVID-19 PCR testing. (3) Where the test result obtained from the immediate COVID-19 PCR testing under subparagraph (2) is – (a) Negative, the person shall be allowed entry; or (b) Positive, the person shall isolate within the district of port of entry at his or her own cost. (4) A person under the age of 12 shall be exempted from this paragraph.
A person who refuses to be subjected to the provisions of this order commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding P5,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.