Health Alert: Botswana, Government Announces End Of Extreme Social Distancing

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Gaborone, Botswana (5/22/2020)  

Location:  Botswana  

Event:  Government Announces End of Extreme Social Distancing 

The Government of Botswana has announced the end of extreme social distancing measures, officially starting on May 21.  The country is still divided into nine geographical zones, and movement between zones requires an essential travel permit.  All permits can be found online at https://www.gov.bw.   

Those traveling within their zone of residence no longer require movement permits.  Please note that this could change again depending on the threat level. 

If you are looking for the latest announcements, the best place to find the updates, lists, regulations, and maps is at https://twitter.com/BWGovernment.  

All business will require temperature screening, face coverings for entry, cleaning and disinfection two to three times per day, hand sanitizing upon entry and throughout the establishment, and a register of all who enter.  We recommend bringing your own pen when you plan to shop or enter other businesses.  Keep in mind you may be refused entry if you do not comply with all of the restrictions listed.   

Since the outbreak there have been 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Botswana.  The number continues to rise slowly.  If the threat exceeds the current level at any point, the original 28-day lockdown rules, or stricter rules, may be put back in place.  Please continue to check the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness' Facebook page and https://twitter.com/BWGovernment for the latest information. 

There are currently no commercial flights, special flights or government charters available, and borders are still closed for regular travel.  Be prepared to shelter in place until commercial flights resume or borders open, which could be several months. 

U.S. citizens who remain interested in returning home should contact us at the following link and fill out the form carefully, then submit:  

Botswana Repatriation Request Form  

If you are travelling with others, you must complete the form for each person in your group. Entering your data into this form will add you to a list to get separate emails with flight information and logistics.  If you have already completed this form, please do not complete it again.  If you have previously completed the form and no longer wish to depart Botswana, please contact us at ConsularGaborone@state.gov so we can remove you from the list. 

Repatriation requests can also be made through our website at https://bw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/. 

In the meantime, please do not forget to register in STEP for the latest alerts and information from the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone at https://step.state.gov.    

 Actions to Take: 

• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. 

• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. 

• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information. 

• Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.

• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Botswana.

• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S. 

• Visit the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness' Facebook page for latest travel restrictions.

• Call 997 for instructions from the Government of Botswana if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19.