Namibia implements new COVID-19 PCR test rules for travelers into the country

Source: Xinhua| 2020-12-01 00:37:39|Editor: huaxia

WINDHOEK, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Starting Tuesday, southern African country Namibia will have new COVID-19 PCR test rules for travelers into the country.

Namibian President Hage Geingob, when addressing the nation during the 20th COVID-19 briefing on Monday, said all non-Namibian travelers arriving in Namibia are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from the country of departure, which is not older than 72 hours. The new regulation commences from Dec. 1, 2020, to Jan. 25, 2021.

"This requirement does not apply to children under the age of five years. Non-Namibian travelers arriving with a negative result, which is older than 72 hours, will be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 on the same day, at own cost," he said, adding that if results come out negative, they will be released from quarantine.

"If positive, they will be isolated at own cost, according to Namibia's isolation protocols," he added.

The president said citizens cannot afford to relax now, and must rather intensify the fight against COVID-19.

"The worst-case scenario as projected by our WHO Models estimated the loss of nearly 4,000 Namibian lives. However, the prompt and decisive measures taken by the government early into the pandemic have materially tempered and shielded our communities from the full wrath of this pandemic," he said.

Geingob said as the festive season draws closer, public health measures remain the most powerful weapon and that should be observed and enforced at all times.

The president said Namibia must continue with enhancing risk communication, testing, tracing contacts, and timeously isolating cases and continue to use data for decision-making.

"The government will continue to carefully monitor and stay on top of the evolving situation regarding the pandemic," he added. Enditem

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