Govt falls to pressure to revoke border vaccine directive

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.