Update on COVID-19 by HE President Dr Geingob - 14 April 2020


Update on COVID-19 by HE President Dr Geingob - 14 April 2020



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“e REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
wn
THE PRESIDENCY
BRIEFING STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT DR. HAGE G.
GEINGOB
ON COVID-19 NATIONAL RESPONSE MEASURES
APRIL 14, 2020
WINDHOEK.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

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Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
COVID-19 remains a serious global health
pandemic. Namibia registered her first
two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on 13%
March 2020. It is why on 17* March 2020,
Government declared a_é State of
Emergency, which was extended by
Parliament for a period of six months.
To date, the number of confirmed cases
stands at sixteen (16). Of these, three
people have made full recovery and there
has been no report of new infections for
over a week now.
We responded with urgent and aggressive
measures to contain the spread of the
novel Corona Virus into our communities.
The measures we have put in place are
starting to bear fruits.

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As stated in my first statement on COVID-
19, the Health of Namibians remains the
first priority. COVID-19 is not only a
threat to the lives of the Namibian People
and the public health system, but it also
bears secondary negative economic
impacts on businesses, including jobs and
livelihoods.
Our key priority has been and shall remain
the curbing the spread of the disease.
The second priority is to minimize impacts
of COVID-19 on our economy. To this end
Government rolled out the economic
stimulus to the tune of N$ 8.1 billion on 7
April 2020.
Payment to qualifying
beneficiaries has started to be effected
today and so far over 350 thousand
applications have been received.
Today Cabinet met and reviewed progress

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on the extraordinary measures, we have
adopted with the dual purpose of
protecting the health, security and safety
of the people and the economy.
The current lockdown for Erongo Region
and Khomas Region, including the local
authorities of Windhoek and Rehoboth
lapse on Friday, 17 April 2020 at
midnight. The lockdown is necessary to
curb the spread of the COVID-19.
It is in view of this that Government has
decided to introduce further measures as
follows:
1. The lockdown will be extended from
midnight on Friday 17* April 2020 to
midnight on 4" £=May 2020.
Effectively, the country will reopen
on 5 May 2020. During this period,
movements within the whole country
will be restricted. The Regions will

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be grouped into zones. The exact
modalities will be worked out by law
enforcement agencies.
2. The current prohibition relating to
certain operations and closure of
certain business activities have been
revisited to allow for the opening of
informal trading and open markets,
subject to strict hygiene, social
distancing and limit of gathering. The
ministry of Urban = and_é Rural
Development is tasked to implement
the modalities and enforce full
compliance.
With regard to reopening of schools,
teachers and lectures will operate
from home during the period of 20%
April 2020, and will officially return
to places of work on Wednesday, 6
May 2020. Learners and students will
not return to school until further
notice.
4. The work from home for government

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and private sector employees which
was in place for 14 days ending 17%
April 2020 will be extended to
Tuesday, 5 May 2020.
5. The fishing sector operates in the
food supply chain. As such, they are
considered to render _— essential
services subject to the health
standards agreed. The operation of
this industry will be allowed to
continue.
As I have done over the past difficult
weeks, I call on all Namibians to remain
calm, to cooperate with the authorities in
order to ensure that public order is not
compromised.
Allow the authorities to work unhindered
and do not provoke them unduly. I also
urge law enforcement to demonstrate
professionalism by operating within the
law. Generally, I am encouraged by what I

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have observed so far.
I appeal to all Namibians to respect the
Regulations and measures in place to curb
the spread of the virus.
The pandemic we_ée face’ today is
unprecedented, but I am confident that by
working collaboratively, we will respond
effectively to minimize the spread of the
virus and restore the health of those
affected and_ restart our economic
activities.
Let us hold hands and defeat this virus
together as Namibians.
Thank You