Botswana is one of the Southern African countries to also declare a lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic after recording its first set of cases.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has also declared a state of emergency over the outbreak.
Masisi said essential-service providers will be issued with a special a Covid-19 travel permit to enable them to leave their homes.
The President also said people will access essential goods and services with a relief fund set up to cushion those affected.
Botswana’s government will also give a wage subsidy to help businesses retain employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
Your health & safety are my Government’s number 1 priority. Please remember to stay home, wash your hands regularly with soap & sanitize.
TOGETHER WE SHALL PREVAIL!
TOGETHER #WeCanBeatCovid19! ?? pic.twitter.com/Om5Z7N7RwY— Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi (@OfficialMasisi) April 4, 2020
The country’s lockdown started on April 2, 2020 and would last for 28 days but security forces are not actively involved in enforcing the lockdown.
The 2.3 million citizens in Botswana appear to be very law abiding and of good behavior that they are orderly complying with the directive.
Empty streets everywhere
Local media reported that the city streets were literally empty across the low, medium and high-income locations.
There was literally no activity and informal sector traders who often fill up the streets with their wares had wrapped up and stayed home.
There were virtually no taxis operating in almost all-key parts of the city in the country.
Francistown Central Police Station (CPS) commander superintendent Lebalang Maniki told a local news outlet mmegi that they have not received any report of people ignoring the restrictions on their movement.
There a few police officers though tasked to monitor activities across the country’s streets but they virtually have no work to do at the moment.
In other African countries security officers have been massively deployed across cities to prevent people from moving around.
Some citizens in parts of Africa and even in Southern African countries like South Africa have recorded police and military brutalities.
Debate over Botswana’s orderly lockdown
On social media, Africans have been reacting to this report of orderliness in Botswana during the period of lockdown over coronavirus.
In Ghana people will still come out to see if people are all indoors ??
— SARK OR DIE ????? (@KelvinMate_) April 4, 2020
A very disciplined nation! Big ups to you BaTswana! I know you can do this.
— ?? ?? (@realuturn) April 4, 2020
Why wouldn’t they be well behaved when their government treats them like humans,
— Mistress of The West! (@Butsang_Nare) April 4, 2020
Its the same even in villages and townships. What y’all don’t get is how much we abide by the law and respect orders
— KEENE NTESANG (@keene_ntesang) April 4, 2020
Botswana should be Africa’s goals in terms of discpline and peace. #BrandBotswana
— ❗STAY HOME ?? (@DuncanMampane) April 4, 2020
They’re sheeps in the hands of shepherds unlike Nigeria where we are goats in the hands of rulers.
— Ooni of Lagos ? (@Mr_Rotimi) April 4, 2020
Forget about them, they are financially stable that’s why. Nigerians cannot observe that order because majority of it citizens are on a scale of daily square meal. Therefore they most go out because hunger kills faster.
— Anas zurmi (@zurmacious__jr) April 4, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
