Travel To Coronavirus-Hit Countries Worries BDP
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 23, 2020 18:12
This is despite the government’s appeal to Batswana to minimise travel.
Although Botswana has not recorded any coronavirus case, the ruling party believes too much travelling in and out of Botswana may lead to the country registering a case or cases.
So far South Africa (SA) has registered more than 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“Ke nako ya gore Batswana ba ithokomele eseng jalo re toga re nna le dikgang tsa coronavirus. Re kopa gore batho ba lese go kgobokana le go etela mahatshe aa amegileng. A re tshwaraganeng re le sechaba eseng jalo reya go amega bagarona,” BDP communication chairperson, Kagelelo Kentse said in an interview. The BDP spokesperson urged Batswana to reduce travels even locally and for people to quarantine themselves at home.
“We urge all political leaders, religious leaders, Chiefs and civil society to lead in educating the nation about this pandemic. If the civil society can join hands with the government, we can win this battle,” he said.
“Chiefs plays a major role in this society, therefore it is important that they hold kgotla meetings with their people to teach them about the dangers of coronavirus pandemic.”
Kentse added that there are people who want to hear their leaders’ messages before they act. He said as the ruling party, they would keep on assessing the situation and if SA numbers increase, then they would state their position as a party and reveal strategies of curbing the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa has urged the government to engage political leaders and other stakeholders so that they speak on this issue of coronavirus.
“This is the time we put our political differences aside and talk about issue of safety. As the UDC, we urge people to reduce their travel, especially to affected countries and adhere to standards set by health officials,” he said.