Ebola: Botswana maintains stance on travel ban
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday September 15, 2014 12:10
Seakgosing was speaking at a media briefing on the Second Extra Ordinary meeting of SADC Ministers of Health on Ebola Virus that was held in Zimbabwe on September 4 and 5, 2014. He said that Botswana will not lift the ban on travel by citizens from affected West African nations.
“As a country we are pretty aware of the stand taken by the AU. Even though the AU had urged us to allow people from Ebola-affected countries into our countries and for us to let our people go to those countries. In our recent SADC meeting, we agreed that we would maintain our stand and restrict travel between affected countries and our country,” he said.
He added that people from Ebola-affected countries are simply not allowed in Botswana.
Recently, the AU pointed out that they observed that the travel ban had affected movement of goods and services across nations and caused devastation on individuals and economies of some of the countries.
The AU advised countries to rather scale up vigilance and begin extensive screening of travellers at their departure and entry points to avoid further spread of the virus than banning travel.
The executive council also agreed to embark on more solidarity efforts through contributions of funds and medical personnel to eradicate the disease from worst hit countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Instead of heeding the advice of the AU, Seakgosing said that together with the police and other stakeholders they have increased security at all borders including at points people use illegally to enter the country.
However, he pleaded with the community to assist the government in the fight against Ebola by reporting anyone they suspect to be an illegal immigrant so that they take appropriate measures.
“Let’s also not visit such areas until the situation gets better,” he added.
Seakgosing ensured the media and the public that the government would keep updating Batswana on new developments on Ebola.