20200401_PresidentGeingobCOVID19LockdownRegulations


20200401_PresidentGeingobCOVID19LockdownRegulations



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REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
THE PRESIDENCY
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT
DR. HAGE G. GEINGOB AT A MEDIA BRIEFING ON THE
ECONOMIC RESPONSE PACKAGE TO COVID-19
APRIL 01, 2020
WINDHOEK
Check Against Delivery

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Fellow Namibians,
Government will continue to keep you informed about the
national response measures being undertaken to contain the
further spread of COVID-19, and to mitigate its socio-
economic impacts on our country.
The number of confirmed cases in Namibia is rising, albeit
gradually for the moment. The situation in the country can
be summarized as follows:
1. 246 tests have been conducted, since the declaration of a
COVID-19 outbreak in Namibia on 14 March 2020.
2. Fortunately, there have been no COVID-19 related deaths
in the country, to date.
Since commencement of the lockdown of the Khomas and
Erongo regions including the local authority areas of
Okahandja and Rehoboth on 28 March 2020, I have been
closely monitoring the public response to the Regulations.
Generally, there is a positive response in terms of
compliance with the Regulations. It is a source of great
concern however that there are contraventions with respect
to the Stay at Home directive for non-essential workers and

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non-essential movement by members of the public.
Contraventions have also been reported with respect to the
illegal sale of alchohol. I must emphasize that the
regulations issued as part of the State of Emergency are
applicable to all parts of the country. I once again urge all
Namibians to obey and cooperate with the authorities.
I call on those providing critical services in the country to
put measures in place to ensure that social distancing and
and strict hygiene are practiced strictly at all times.
ECONOMIC STIMULUS & RELIEF PACKAGE
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Namibia found us emerging
from an unprecedented and protracted drought that left
many Namibian households food insecure. Government
responded with an extensive Drought Relief programme. Our
economy was projected to recover marginally in this
Financial Year from a period of subdued growth. It goes
without saying, that the impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak
on our economy will be both severe and far-reaching.
Already, many sectors of our economy have been adversely
affected by the impacts of the global downturn, now
exacerbated by the outbreak of this disease. We are

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cognizant of the fact that the bold and aggressive measures
undertaken domestically to contain further spread, will also
lead to economic hardship for our people. However, I believe
these measures are necessary if we are to contain the
potentially devastating consequences of an unchecked
spread of COVID-19 in our country.
To this end, Government has formulated an Economic
Stimulus and Relief Package to mitigate the negative
economic impact caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19.
The total Stimulus and Relief Package amounts to N$8.1
billion.
I now invite the Minister of Finance to outline the specific
details of the package.
In Closing,
All our efforts during this difficult time are aimed at ensuring
we protect the health and lives of Namibians, who we will
need to rebuild this economy together, once the crisis is
over.
I take this opportunity to express special appreciation to all
our frontline workers who are spearheading our national

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response. They are working day and night, to ensure that
members of the public comply with the Regulations and that
our public health sector is geared to effectively respond and
save lives.
More importantly, it is the responsibility of each and every
Namibian to do their part, if Namibia is to successfully
combat the spread of this disease. This invisible enemy can
only be defeated through unity of purpose and action.
Thank You.