Namibia announces plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions

Namibian President Hage Geingob./ Photo Courtesy: Namibian Presidency.

Namibia will ease the restrictions put in place to counter the spread of COVID-19 after the current lockdown elapses next week.

The intention to tone down the lockdown restrictions was announced by President Hage Geingob on Thursday, as countries around the world mull ways of re-opening their economies.

"The countrywide lockdown will lapse at midnight on Monday the 4

th

May 2020. Based on our experience, available data and gauging our level of national preparedness, there is merit to relax some of the restrictions,"President Geingob wrote on Twitter.

Namibia is one of 52 African countries that have recorded COVID-19 cases, having registered 16 infections.

The continent has reported 37, 402 cases and 1,598 deaths, with 12,248 recoveries, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Geingob asked Namibians to continue wearing masks even beyond May 4.

"All Namibians will be needed to wear mask in public areas and government will assist the vulnerable. The sale of alcohol will continue to be prohibited throughout the country. We could use this situation to deal with the abuse of alcohol in this country," he said.

Source(s): Namibian Presidency