Author: The Namibian Multimedia

by Luqman Cloete

Delays in coronavirus test results has caused an uproar among 36 people in isolation at Seeheim Hotel 45 kilometers south of Keetmanshoop in the //Kharas region.

A source indicated the quarantined people on Thursday threatened to leave the quarantine facility in protest against having been kept there for more than the normal 14-day isolation period because of their pending test results.

The //Kharas police regional commander, commissioner David Indongo, confirmed that the people, frustrated by the long wait for their test results, threatened to leave the facility without being cleared by health officials.

“After the intervention of … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The Bank of Namibia reported a second novel coronavirus case on Thursday.

According to the bank’s strategic communications director, Emma Haiyambo, the case involves a staff member from the bank’s head office who was last at the office on Tuesday last week (28 July).

“As a result, the head office shall be disinfected on Friday, 7 August,” she said.

Haiyambo informed the public that the bank is still operational, and no disruptions are envisaged.

However, the bank’s public tellers will be open for business only until 13h00 on Friday.

“The bank remains dedicated to protecting the well-being … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

A GROUP of disgruntled members of the public at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund plan to hold a demonstration against the extended travel ban on three towns in the Erongo region.

President Hage Geingob last week announced a further 31 days travel restriction to and from Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis in an effort to curb the further spread of the coronavirus.

According to the founding statement, Namibians United Against the Lockdown “the group was created to support any initiative against the new lockdown of the Erongo region, specifically or any other initiatives that have been launched or … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

NAMIBIA has reported a record 345 novel coronavirus recoveries yesterday.

This brings the total number of recoveries to 556.

According to minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula at the Covid-19 communication centre yesterday, Walvis Bay recorded 325 recoveries out of the total recoveries announced.

This is the highest number out of the eight towns that reported recoveries.

Oshakati and Mariental followed with six and five recoveries, respectively, while Windhoek had four recoveries.

Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Oshikuku, Outapi and Keetmanshoop each recorded one recovery.

“Again, this is a result of the shift in the de-isolation policy,” Shangula … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The Bank of Namibia has reported its first Covid-19 case at its disaster recovery site.

As a result, the site will be closed off for disinfection. The bank’s head office will also be partially disinfected, the central bank’s strategic communications director, Emma Haiyambo, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The bank remains dedicated to protect the well-being of its staff members and the public is urged not to panic as all necessary measures have been put in place to adhere to health protocols established with regards to Covid-19,” she said.

Haiyambo said the bank is still operational … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the //Kharas region now stands at 35, while 13 people who had the novel coronavirus in the region have recovered.

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said this while delivering her maiden state of the region address at Keetmanshoop on Wednesday.

Frederick said inter-regional and cross-district migrations of people are the main factors contributing to the spread and transmission of the novel coronavirus disease in the region.

She said the construction of a 12-bed isolation unit was completed at Keetmanshoop recently, and screening and testing facilities, each with four beds, are also … Read More

by Eliaser Ndeyanale

A Namibian Police officer based at Wanaheda Police Station in Windhoek has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Namibian Police’s chief spokesperson, deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed this on Wednesday. She said the police station would not be closed unless that is advised by health experts.

She said the officer had already been in isolation before his coronavirus test result came back as positive on Tuesday.

“So far the colleagues who shared an office are in isolation and all heath Covid-19 measures are being implemented, including disinfecting of the premises,” Shikwambi said.

“The pandemic indeed affects … Read More

Namibia reports 70 new Covid-19 cases at Walvis Bay 30, Swakopmund 10, Windhoek 26, Otjiwarongo one, Okahandja one, and Keetmanshoop one.

According to the health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula, 13 of the cases in Windhoek have no known cases to confirmed cases, but they presented with symptoms consistent with Covid-19.

Katutura reported ten cases, which is of grave concern according to the minister. He said the patients all attended a church ceremony.

“It is likely that more people have been exposed and we are cautioning the people to call the hotline to be tested,” Shangula said.

Weddings, funerals … Read More

by Taati Niienge

Face-to-face learning for Grade 11 and 12 pupils started at Walvis Bay on Monday, after they had to stay home for about four months.

There were mixed feelings from parents, teachers and pupils about the resumption of face-to-face classes, though.

Some teachers said they had no choice but to start teaching, although Walvis Bay has become Namibia’s novel coronavirus pandemic epicentre.

Teachers … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The Ministry of Finance on Monday announced the closure of its customs and excise office at Walvis Bay following possible exposure to a novel coronavirus case.

In a statement, finance ministry spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu said the office would be closed from 4 to 5 August as a precautionary measure.

“We are suspecting possible exposure to a confirmed Covid-19 case. A colleague’s spouse tested positive. The office will be disinfected on Tuesday or Wednesday,” he said.

Shidhudhu added that the ministry has introduced work shifts and its staff members on duty on Tuesday may not have come into … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Namibia has recorded a twelfth death related to Covid-19, health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula said on Monday.

Shangula said a 49-year-old man who was in Windhoek Central Hospital for urgent surgery developed complications after undergoing an operation, and his coronavirus test results also came back positive. He added that the patient had a chronic condition, which was being ruled out as the cause of his death on Sunday, after his condition gradually deteriorated.

The country also recorded another 112 confirmed novel coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing Namibia’s confirmed cases to 2 406, with 2 207 active … Read More

by Yokany Oliveira

THE Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) will reopen its Katutura satellite office tomorrow after a five-month closure.

The fund will maintain Covid-19 regulations, it assured.

“The MVA Fund will reopen its Katutura satellite office on Monday, 3 August, after a five-month closure as a safety measure to stop the spread of Covid-19 during the first wave of the outbreak,” chief of corporate affairs Surihe Goamas-Guchu said in a statement on Friday.

Goamas-Guchu said the satellite office will be open Mondays to Fridays from 07h30 until 16h30, where the fund’s case coordinators, hospital case managers and rehabilitation case … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

A third employee at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

This was confirmed by the public broadcaster’s director general Stanley Similo today.

“It is with a heavy heart that I need to announce that one of the staff members who went into self-isolation last Sunday, started having flu symptoms and went to see the doctor on Monday, and was treated and tested for Covid-19,” Similo said in a statement.
He said the employee’s results were released late Saturday night, saying the case does not pose any danger to the NBC and its … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Namibia on Sunday recorded 70 new Covid-19 cases and 16 new recoveries.

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula said the new cases are from the Erongo, Khomas, Ohangwena and //Kharas regions.

Walvis Bay reported the highest number of new cases at 43, followed by Swakopmund with 12, Windhoek with 13, Engela with one and Lüderitz with one.

“With the implementation of the new de-isolation protocol, we expect to see a radical increase in the number of recoveries,” Shangula said.

The country now has 2 294 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 187 recoveries and 11 deaths.… Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Namibia has recorded its 11th Covid-19 death.

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this evening announced a 53-year-old male with known chronic renal failure and multiple medical comorbidities was admitted to a private hospital at Swakopmund on 22 July.

He was tested on 21 July at Walvis Bay at the dialysis isolation unit.

He has been sick but stable, and suddenly experienced severe shortness of breath on 29 July, after which he died.

Shangula urged the public to practise extra precautionary measures around vulnerable groups and to adhere to regulations.

The country has recorded 95 new … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

Health update: Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula announced the country has recorded 77 new Covid-19 cases from 635 tests.

Of the new cases, 62 are from Walvis Bay, eight from Swakopmund, five from Windhoek, and two from Okahandja.

Shangula said 38 of the new cases are men and 39 women. Their ages range from one to 58 years.

Shangula said one Windhoek case is a 56-year-old woman with no known contact with a confirmed case.

She has been conducting meetings at work and has attended a funeral recently where residents from Walvis Bay may … Read More

President Hage Geingob is addressing the nation on new Covid-19 measures. He says 2 129 cases are confirmed in Namibia as of today, with ten deaths. He says the rate of cases in the country is rising, with Namibia being in the top five of Covid-19 cases in Africa.

Erongo region will remain in lockdown until the end of August, Geingob says

Twelve regions countrywide have confirmed cases, with the exception of Omaheke and Kavango West. Geingob says community transmissions of the virus is suspected in Khomas and //Kharas regions, and not only Erongo.

He says the government … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

President Hage Geingob has called on corporates and individuals to contribute towards Namibia’s Covid-19 fight on his 79th birthday instead of placing advertisements of congratulations in newspapers and publications.

Geingob turns 79 on Monday.

“In the form of Covid-19, we are faced with a deadly and invisible enemy. During this period, the health of Namibians remains the biggest priority,” the president said in a statement today.

He said the government alone cannot defeat the virus and needs everyone to fight its spread and help the vulnerable.

The president thanked corporates and individuals who have so far contributed … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

HEALTH UPDATE … Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says Namibia on Monday recorded 68 new coronavirus infections and 26 recoveries of people who had been diagnosed with the virus. The new infections are from the Erongo, Khomas and //Kharas regions.

The minister says Walvis Bay has 60 new cases, Windhoek six and Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop one each. According to Shangula, the ages of the 68 people who have now tested positive for the virus range from six to 68 years old.

All of the Windhoek cases have no travel history and have not been in a quarantine facility, … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

HEALTH UPDATE … Namibia has recorded 96 new coronavirus infections, and the recovery of three people who had been infected with the virus.

The newly recorded cases are from Erongo, Khomas, //Kharas, Ohangwena, Otjozondjupa and Omusati. According to minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula, 75 of the new cases were recorded at Walvis Bay, four at Swakopmund, 10 in Windhoek, two at Keetmanshoop, two at Engela, one at Okakarara, one at Otjiwarongo and one at Oshikuku.

“Sixty-seven are males and 29 are females. Ages range from six to 64 years old. Contact tracing has been … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

THE Erongo region emergency operation centre has put together a regional Covid-19 management plan, which it presented to a visiting task team at Walvis Bay on Wednesday.

The plan was proposed to address the current situation in the region, as the framework to deal with the Covid-19 crisis was found to be inadequate.

Lieutenant colonel Aktofel Kwedhi, operations officer at the Erongo region emergency operations centre, said the current management plan failed because resources deployed to manage the novel coronavirus outbreak have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of cases.

This has left communities, especially at Walvis … Read More

by Adam Hartman

AT least 100 patients may have been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case, a health worker at the ARV clinic at Swakopmund said.

The clinic was closed on Monday after the health worker was confirmed Covid-19 positive, resulting in the 11 other staff members being quarantined.

A nurse, who declined to be identified, informed The Namibian on Monday that the other staff, which includes five nurses, four health assistants and two cleaners, were also tested.

Most of the staff are quarantined at the Swakopmund bungalows, while some, who do not live alone, are self-quarantined at … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

Erongo governor Neville Andre has announced that people who died of Covid-19 at Walvis Bay will now be buried in existing graveyards at the town.

This comes after consultations between the Covid-19 burial committee and some Walvis Bay residents who were opposing burials at a site that had been chosen at the town’s Narraville area.

The families of people who died of Covid-19 at Walvis Bay are now free to indicate where they want to bury their family members.

The announcement by André was made at a meeting between stakeholders and a delegation that arrived in Walvis … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

THE Lüderitz Town council has stepped up efforts in readiness to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

The council is currently reactivating its screening point at the entrance of the town as some of the stringent measures to ensure better case tracing and control of residents.

According to Lüderitz mayor, Brigitte Frederick, residents who enter and leave the town will be screened and registered, in order to curb possible local transmission of Covid-19.

“We already started preparing in March. A screening point was put up at the town entrance. It was later moved to Aus, but we are currently … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Erongo Regional Council’s head office at Swakopmund and constituency offices at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to a possible coronavirus contamination.

Chief regional officer Habatte Doeses confirmed the closure of the offices, saying it is being done to have the premises disinfected while waiting for a further directive from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

In a letter to Juuso Kambweshe, chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Doeses said a staff member of the council’s head office came into contact with a person who tested positive for the … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has given the go-ahead for the preparation of a 130-bed Covid-19 isolation facility at Walvis Bay State Hospital.

The project is spearheaded by the Erongo Region Covid Care (ERCC) team that was driving the construction of a 150-bed containerised facility that never took off.

Anton Pretorius, a member of the ERCC task committee, in an interview with The Namibian said the team is now converting garages and two general wards at the state hospital into high-oxygen Covid-19 isolation wards.

“We need to prepare for the worst case. The first phase … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

People being quarantined at Henties Bay due to the novel coronavirus outbreak claim the treatment from health officials at the quarantine facilities is substandard and they are being kept in quarantine for longer than necessary.

Some of the people quarantined at Henties Bay threatened to leave the quarantine facilities on Tuesday morning.

Law enforcement officers and some officials from the health and social services ministry, including the Erongo Health directorate chief principal officer Dr Amir Shaker, had to intervene, requesting the group not to … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

A Bank Windhoek employee at Walvis Bay has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the bank announced on Tuesday.

This comes after the employee came into contact with a Covid-19 case at the coastal town, which led to the bank closing its Walvis Bay branch on Thursday last week.

As a precautionary measure, the branch will be disinfected and will reopen on Monday next week (27 July), the bank’s executive officer of retail banking services, Chris Matthee, said in a statement.

Since the start of the lockdown period Bank Windhoek’s Walvis Bay branch has been operating at … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

The health ministry has temporarily closed the Lüderitz clinic after a health worker tested positive for the novel coronavirus. 

!Nami≠Nüs constituency regional councillor Jan Scholtz made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday, and said staff members at the clinic as well as identified contacts have been placed under quarantine.

He said the local hospital for now only attends to emergency cases until operations at the clinic resume, and added most health services such as immunisations, family planning and antenatal care have been suspended temporarily until the clinic reopens.

Scholtz advised residents with chronic … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

HEALTH UPDATE… Namibia has recorded 22 new Covid-19 positive cases and three new coronavirus related deaths, health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula said on Tuesday.

Shangula said all are Namibians and 16 are from Walvis Bay, five from Swakopmund and one from Windhoek. The minister said 17 are male and the rest are female. The Windhoek case is a woman who was referred from Walvis Bay.

He said the case announced yesterday from Katima Mulilo is a healthcare worker at a local clinic.

So far, Namibia has seen 15 recoveries, a new record of recoveries according … Read More

by Ester Mbathera and Charmaine Ngatjiheue

NAMIBIA’s fourth Covid-19 fatality was in hospital while his family was in isolation at home at Walvis Bay.

The 55-year-old man tested positive for the novel coronavirus towards the end of June.

Some of his family members have been in self-isolation at home because of a lack of facilities in the Erongo region.

The deceased’s employer, who wants to remain anonymous at this stage, says he feels helpless and does not know how to assist the family at home.

“The whole family is in isolation. There is little we can do, because we can … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security in the Erongo region reopened on Monday, after it had been disinfected against the novel coronavirus.

The offices were temporarily shut following possible Covid-19 exposure when staff members came into contact with suspected Covid-19 cases at Walvis Bay.

The ministry’s spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa said the Kuisebmond sub-regional office, the Walvis Bay harbour and airport offices and the Swakopmund offices reopened on Monday.

“The offices have been disinfected. In order to protect the well-being of staff and the public, the ministry will continue adhering to Covid-19 … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Walvis Bay’s Welwitschia Hospital says it remains committed to the fight against the novel coronavirus after one of its patients died of Covid-19 on Monday.

The patient, a 55-year-old man, became the fourth person recorded to have died of Covid-19 in Namibia, as announced by health and social services minister Kalumbi Shangula on Monday.

Welwitschia Hospital manager Matthias Braune said in a statement on Monday that during the last two weeks the hospital looked after a few Covid-19 patients who were, and are, extremely sick and required ventilation or oxygen therapy.

“This morning, sadly, one of our … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

THE Erongo police have urged the public to avoid attending and hosting large gatherings at Arandis, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Gatherings here are restricted to a maximum of 10 people.

Ileni Shapumba, community affairs commander for the Erongo region, says the public is exposing themselves to Covid-19 by attending such gatherings.

“During the state of emergency no demonstrations are allowed in these three restricted areas, but we have seen people running around calling people to demonstrate. This should cease in accordance with the law and to protect people from the virus,” Shapumba says.

Of great concern are … Read More

The country has recorded its third Covid-19 death.

This was announced by the minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this evening.

“A 45-year-old man passed on at home and his body was brought to the mortuary on 13 July by the police. He was known to be on chronic medication. According to the information provided by relatives he was tested on 15 July and the result came back positive on 18 July. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends,” he said.

Namibia has recorded 44 new Covid-19 cases. Shangula said six involve non-Namibians on a … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

WALVIS Bay residents have found an innovative way of worshiping together amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents drove to the town’s waterfront area on Sunday morning, for the first drive-in church service for the town.

The service was organized by the Walvis Bay Community church, which usually has two Sunday services in Afrikaans and English.

The services were suspended due to the lockdown about four months ago, leaving families to pray at home.

“We just decided to do something different. We cannot cope with this lockdown. Everyone wants to get together for prayer. There is power in togetherness. … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

ERONGO governor Neville Andre called a meeting with representatives from the Narraville on Saturday community to deliberate on the burial site for people who die from Covid-19.

Addressing the community, the governor apologised for the way proceedings had been handled. 

“We did things in line with the WHO rules and I understand that it is strange to all of us. We have a burial committee and we were supposed to consult with the community. I accept the blame personally and apologise. This is a first experience for all of us, and I hope we will learn together … Read More

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula said on Saturday afternoon the country has recorded 125 new Covid-19 cases.

The minister said of these two are South African truck drivers and the rest are Namibians.

He added that one case is from Windhoek, two from Swakopmund, two are truck drivers from Keetmanshoop, one from Lüderitz, one from Engela, and 118 from Walvis Bay.

“The one in Windhoek is an in-patient at the local hospital. Those who were tested in Keetmanshoop are South African truck drivers. One delivered cargo at Rossing in Arandis. He was tested on his way back and has already gone … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

THE ministry of education, arts and culture has announced the reopening of schools and face-to-face learning for Grade 11 and 12 pupils at Arandis, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay on Monday.

Executive director of education, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, said in a statement on Friday the return of pupils to school is voluntary.

In the event where a school records a confirmed case of Covid-19, the education ministry together with the health ministry will assess the situation before taking appropriate action.

“In addition, the ministry has developed compliance standards for the operation of schools, and schools that … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

Some residents of Narraville spent the night at the burial site where a Covid-19 victim was buried. They are determined to stop the burial of the second victim.

The say they will block the area when the burial continues today.

“We are concerned about our health and the inhumane way these people are buried. Everybody deserves a proper burial. Look at this place. It looks like a dumpsite,” they say.

Residents say they never agreed to the site being used for Covid-19 deaths.
They will make sure the deceased’s remains are moved to a proper site, away … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

Disgruntled Narraville residents flocked to the second Covid-19 burial at Walvis Bay this evening.

Health oficials and security forces eventually had to turn around with the body as residents were blocking the entrance to the site.

The group has expressed their dissatisfactionwith the site being used as a Covid-19 graveyard, as well as the burial method.

Erongo regional governor Neville Andre urged residents to remain calm.

“Please do not panic. We are determined to look after the health of Walvis Bay residents. We are humbly asking residents to allow us to bury the body. That place was … Read More

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this evening said the country has recorded 46 new Covid-19 cases of whom 45 are Namibians and one is a Malawian truck driver residing in South Africa.

Shangula said three cases are from Windhoek, two from Swakopmund, one from Keetmanshoop and 40 from Walvis Bay.

The Windhoek cases involve two students and a truck driver. The students arrived in the country on 10 July and were tested on the same day. They are quarantined.

The Namibian truck driver went to South Africa on 27 June and came back on 1 July through … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

THE site where the first person to succumb to Covid-19 in Namibia is buried is an approved cemetery that is part of the Narraville Extension 8 layout.

This was said by Walvis Bay municipality communications manager Kevin Adams who said approval for the site to be a cemetery was granted even before the Covid-19 breakout, and public consultation was undertaken by the municipalities’ town planning officials.

The layout was presented to the public at a meeting held at Narraville in July 2014, according to Adams who was responding to the concerns of the residents on why people … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

THE Namibia Institute of Pathology says they have moved from a backlog in Covid-19 test results of around 5 000 to nearly 2 200.

Acting chief operations officer at the institute, Boniface Makumbi, says the delay is due to the spike in cases in the Erongo region – particularly at Walvis Bay.

Makumbi was speaking at the Covid-19 communication centre this morning.

“When that spike came, it exceeded our capacity to test. When we started testing, we were doing below 50 tests per day, we moved to 90, then 200, and this was before Erongo and Walvis … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE mining sector has lost about 285 jobs as a result of the Covid-19 imposed lockdown and state of the emergency regulations.

According to the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) general secretary Ebben Zarondo, the job losses are from 15 March to date and were recorde at 17 companies in the mining industry.

Namib Lead and Zinc had the highest job losses at 71, followed by D.Y.S Manufacturers with 52 and Lewcor and Kaokoland Mining with 25 and 24 respectively.

Some losses have been blamed on Covid-19 retrenchments, while others are because the mines had to close. … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this afternoon said the country has recorded 76 new Covid-19 cases. Of these 75 are Namibians and one is a foreigner. Namibia now has 861 Covid-19 cases, 28 recoveries and one death.

The minister said 73 are from Walvis Bay, two from Windhoek, and one from Keetmanshoop. He said 41 are male and 24 female.

The youngest case is three years old and the oldest is 49. All are clinically stable and contact tracing is ongoing.

Shangula said the Keetmanshoop case involves a male Zimbabwean national, who lives in South … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

NAMIBIA has reported its first Covid-19 death, health minister Kalumbi Shangula said on Friday afternoon.

According to the minister, the patient, a 45-year-old man from Walvis Bay, complained of respiratory ailment and showed signs of severe renal failure and sepsis.

On 8 July 2020, the patient’s condition worsened, he became restless and he hyperventilated and died on the same day.

“On 10th July 2020, the results indicated that the patient was Covid-19 positive. He therefore died as a result of Covid-19. Namibia has gone 116 days without registering a single death case. Today I have the unenviable … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Some of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security’s offices in the Erongo region have been closed, following possible Covid-19 exposure.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa, the closure is a precautionary measure, after staff members came into contact with suspected Covid-19 cases at Walvis Bay.

As result, the ministry temporarily closed its Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay harbour and airport, and Swakopmund offices.

“This is to allow for the office premises to be disinfected. All staff members have been placed in self-quarantine,” Kadhikwa said.

He noted that the closure is currently indefinite as the primary … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela

The Electoral Commission of Namibia might have trouble maintaining physical distancing of people during the counting and verification of votes in the upcoming regional and local authority elections scheduled for November this year.

The ECN’s chief electoral officer, Theo Mujoro, says this is one of the challenges the commission faces in its attempt to organise the upcoming elections under the unfamiliar circumstances of a pandemic.

“The counting and verification of votes requires that other people would want to see what you are doing. I think that is one of the things that we will have … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The Social Security Commission has paid out N$22,1 million to people who lost their employment as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

These funds form part of the commission’s national employment and salary protection scheme.

Labour minister Utoni Nujoma said in the National Assembly on Wednesday the money was paid out in respect of 5 483 out of 6 300 applications from unemployed workers.

“This process continues,” Nujoma said, noting that the protection scheme ends on 31 July.

He said to date, the SSC has received a total of 2 200 applications from employers for cash … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela

The Electoral Commission of Namibia will arrange special voting for Covid-19 patients for the upcoming regional and local authority elections.

This will be informed by the number of people who will be in hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities during the period determined for the conduct of the elections.

ECN’s chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said the commission will put together teams that will be sent to various quarantine facilities to register and facilitie the voting process for these people. Mujoro said the commission will work hand in hand with the health ministry to conduct this process.

Any … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Zimbabwean health minister Obediah Moyo, who has been implicated in alleged corruption with the purchase of Covid-19 tests involving a company registered in Namibia, has been dismissed.

Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa sent his beleaguered health minister packing for conduct inappropriate with his duties in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement was signed by Zimbabwe’s chief secretary to the president and cabinet, Mischeck Sibanda.

Moyo handpicked a Namibian-registered company, Jaji Investments, owned by medical doctor Prince Mushininga, who is working in Namibia and closely linked to Mnangagwa, to supply rapid Covid-19 test kits from … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Fisheries Observer Agency office at Walvis Bay was closed on Tuesday afternoon after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The employee was taken into state isolation while two others are in self-quarantine.

The agency’s chief executive officer, Stanley Ndara, confirmed the closure. He said the employee who tested positive for the virus visited the agency’s operations and administration departments on 25 June, and considering that the employee had contact and interaction with other staff members the associated risk of the virus spreading was “very likely”.

Ndara added that the departments would be decontaminated on … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue 

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it is still discussing the question whether healthcare workers dealing with Covid-19 should be paid a risk allowance.

Speaking at a briefing at State House in Windhoek on Namibia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic on Monday, the health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the issue of paying risk allowances to health workers dealing with Covid-19 was raised with the health ministry and it has discussed it with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Public Service Commission (PSC), which is responsible for human resources in the public … Read More

by Arlana Shikongo and Charmaine Ngatjiheue

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob this afternoon said Namibia’s 13 regions will remain in the current stage 4 of the Covid-19 state of emergency, while Erongo remains in stage 3.

The president made this announcement during a media briefing at State House on Monday afternoon, in which he indicated that 90% of the Covid-19 positive cases are from Walvis Bay.

He added that while Namibia’s new cases are increasing at a fast pace due to the spread in Walvis Bay, there is no evidence at the moment of transmission of … Read More

CHARMAINE NGATJIHEUE and ESTER MBATHERA

A WALVIS BAY mother who passed the contagious novel coronavirus on to her newborn child is now hoping for the best for both of them as the country grapples with a spiking number of cases.

Her pain is much the agony of the multitudes of Covid-19 stricken victims in the Erongo region, which has now become the epicentre of the virus in Namibia.

This comes after minister of health Kalumbi Shangula announced another set of bad news yesterday, showing a challenging scenario at the coastal town.

Yesterday, the minister announced 38 new infections, 37 of … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

NAMIBIA has recorded 38 new Covid-19 positive cases, health minister Kalumbi Shangula announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the minister said the new cases are all are Namibians.

“One case is from Engela, in Ohangwena region and the rest are from Walvis Bay,” the minister said.

He added that the Engela case is a 25-year-old woman who travelled from Walvis Bay on17 June 2020. She was put in quarantine on 25 June 2020.

“A specimen was taken from her on 26 June 2020,” the minister added.

Of the new cases, 22 are females and 16 male with … Read More

by Clemans Miyanicwe

Secretary general of the United Democratic Front Women’s League (UDFWL) Dorcas Shikongo says parents should not be at liberty to send their children to school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I believe the government is keeping parents hostage psychologically when expecting them to decide whether to send their kids to school or not. Let it be categorically clear that parents can’t be at liberty to risk the precious lives of the future generations,” Shikongo says.

She says no parent feels like homeschooling amid the pandemic and many have no or inadequate resources … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Namibian Defence Force yesterday handed the new military field hospital over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) at the Walvis Bay District Hospital.

The facility was built in anticipation of a growing number of Covid-19 cases in the Erongo region.

The 18-bed field hospital was constructed at the same site the failed 150-bed containerised Covid-19 hospital was to be built by the private sector in April.

Erongo regional health director Anna Jonas received the field hospital on behalf of the health ministry.

“We have increasing cases daily, and this will just augment what … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

THREE community trusts at Walvis Bay have decided to meet the government halfway by distributing food to the needy.

The Topnaar Community Foundation Trust, Topnaar Concession Trust and Kuiseb Delta Development Trust handed over food hampers to over 200 households and individuals in the Topnaar community on Wednesday.

“We decided to help the government in this Covid-19 fight. Attempts are already being made by the … Read More

IN NAMIBIA WE went into lockdown with very few Covid-19 cases, thinking it would be quick and we would be back in business in no time.

For the first time since independence our government had all the power, with a state of emergency called. The old saying goes: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Our already struggling economy has almost come to a standstill. People are losing their jobs and businesses are closing their doors. Yet as far as I know our government ministers and employees have not taken a reduction in pay, although you struggle to get service … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

A NEWBORN baby has tested positive for Covid-19, health minister Kalumbi Shangula announced on Saturday afternoon.

The newborn is part of Namibia’s 26 new positive Covid-19 cases recorded.

The baby tested positive for coronavirus after the mother had contracted the disease, Shangula told The Namibian.

According to the minister, all the new cases are of Namibians with 25 from Walvis Bay and one from Windhoek. This brings Namibia’s total number of cases to 375. The country now has 360 active cases and 25 recoveries.

“Among them is a newborn baby from Windhoek. The rest are from Walvis … Read More

by Clemans Miyanicwe

Former mayor of Khorixas, Elizabeth Geises (55), and her family are in self-quarantine.

Geises said she, two children and two grandchildren have self-quarantined at their house, after it emerged a visitor from Walvis Bay was alerted to the nearest health facility. “This after someone who visited a shop (at Walvis Bay), that the visitor also visited, tested positive for Covid-19,” Geises said.

“Our temperature is taken daily, and it’s fine,” the former mayor said.

The Namibian learnt that the visitor is quarantined at a local lodge at the northwestern town.

Geises said she and her family were … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

STATE facilities are overwhelmed with specimen for Covid-19 and the ministry of health has engaged private laboratories to assist with Covid-19 testing due to the expansion of targeted testing.

Health executive director Ben Nangombe told The Namibian yesterday that the process will be facilitated by a team responsible for laboratories under the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s nine pillars for the management of the response to Covid-19.

“The backlog is indicative of hard work being done by the surveillance team and also an indication that the expanded targeted testing that is underway is producing results. People are being … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

THE police in the Erongo region have warned church and traditional authority leaders in the region against issuing community members with letters recommending travel.

Movement from Walvis Bay, Arandis and Swakopmund is restricted in line with Covid-19 stage 3 regulations, but people at these towns may apply for permits to travel in case of essential medical treatment, or any other reason considered sufficient by an authorised police officer.

Police community affairs commander for the Erongo region Ileni Shapumba says police stations are inundated on a daily basis with applications for travel permits related to death, … Read More

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this morning said there are 42 new Covid-19 cases, one in Windhoek and the rest at Walvis Bay. He said 36 are female and 16 male. The youngest case is two months old and the oldest is 56. All of them are in a satisfactory condition.

The minister said there is one new recovery, case number 24. The country now has 335 confirmed cases, 25 recoveries and 310 active cases. There are no deaths.

Total samples tested stand at 10 253 and 592 tests were conducted yesterday, which is a new record.… Read More

Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula says Namibia has eight new Covid-19 cases. All are Namibians from Walvis Bay. Four are males and four females. They are all in a stable condition, he said.

Case number 286 is a 28-year-old woman and a contact of a confirmed case.

Case number 287 is a 26-year-old man and also a contact of a confirmed case. He is displaying symptoms.

Case number 288 is a 13-year-old girl and a contact of a confirmed case.

Case number 289 is a 30-year-old woman and a contact of a confirmed case. She is displaying … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

The Oshana education directorate has temporarily closed Mweshipandeka Secondary School for face-to-face teaching after one of the pupils at the school tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

A team of health officials will be dispatched to the school to conduct testing on all pupils, teachers and workers.

Boarders at the school’s hostel will be quarantined for four days, or until the test results of all pupils are available and cleared of Covid-19.

Oshana education director Hileni Amukana in a press release said the regional task force on Covid-19 is in charge of the situation and … Read More

by Tuyeimo Haidula

THE United Nations Population Fund office in Namibia handed over personal protective equipment to the health ministry for its workers on Monday.

UNFPA country representative Dennia Gayle said the equipment is in support of government’s ongoing efforts to protect health workers and to respond to president Hage Geingob’s call for all stakeholders to hold hands in the spirit of Harambee to collectively respond to and defeat this pandemic in Namibia.

The donation, worth N$2 … Read More

by Ester Mbathera and Okeri Ngutjinazo

ERONGO police officers have launched an investigation into the sale of an alleged Covid-19 prevention formula being touted by a Chinese national at Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay.

On Monday afternoon, officers raided several shops and warehouses as well as a house owned … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

A 20-YEAR-OLD pupil at Mweshipandeka Secondary School in Ongwediva, Oshana region, tested positive for Covid-19, leaving more than 300 pupils and teachers at the school in panic.

During the lockdown, the pupil allegedly travelled to Walvis Bay, the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia and returned to resume face-to-face learning at the school on 5 June.

He and six other pupils who had travelled from towns in Erongo region have since been placed under quarantine in isolated rooms in an effort to curb any possible further spread and risks of infections.

He was tested … Read More

Namibia reports 52 new Covid-19 cases, minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula said at the Covid-19 communication centre this morning. He said 51 are from Walvis Bay and one is from a quarantine facility.

He said 34 of the new cases involve males and 18 females. The youngest one is a year old and the oldest is 59.

One of the new cases is a Polish national.

This brings Namibia’s total number of cases to 257, with 24 recoveries. The total number of tested samples stand at 9 551, with 811 contacts.… Read More

Health update: Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this morning announced seven new Covid-19 cases, all from Walvis Bay, and all in a satisfactory condition. This brings the total confirmed cases countrywide to 203, with no deaths, 24 recoveries and 179 active cases.

A total of 9 118 samples have been tested and 875 are people in quarantine.

As all 13 regions enter stage 4 of the state of emergency, Shangula urged the public to familiarise themselves with the new measures and comply with them.… Read More

ADAM HARTMAN and ESTER MBATHERA

NAMIBIANS quarantined at state facilities in the Erongo region have complained about the state of these facilities, saying many are not up to standard.

A patient who spent two weeks in the Walvis Bay State Hospital Covid-19 isolation ward after testing positive earlier this month, has described the treatment at the ward as traumatic.

He says it exposes Namibia’s lack of capacity to … Read More

Deputy minister of health Ester Muinjangue this morning said there are no new confirmed Covid-19 cases and the total in the country stands at 183. The country has 24 recoveries and 159 active cases.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula this evening announced that Namibia has recorded 12 new confirmed coronavirus infections, bringing the country’s Covid-19 cases to 102.

Speaking on the NBC, Shangula said the new cases are from Erongo – eleven at Walvis Bay and one at Swakopmund.

He also said seven of the confirmed cases had contact with other people with the virus, and six of the new cases had no symptoms of Covid-19 when they were tested. … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

The education directorate in the Oshana region has placed 11 pupils who recently travelled from high-risk areas in Erongo region under quarantine.

Some of the pupils have been placed under quarantine at isolation facilities in Oshana while others have been directed to go into self-isolation until health officials have cleared them of possible novel coronavirus infection.

The acting deputy director of education in Oshana, Hilma Nuunyango-George, told The Namibian that none of the pupils under quarantine or in self-isolation is showing any signs of Covid-19.

However, the directorate is still waiting for their coronavirus test results from … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

EVERY TIME someone demands the list of names of those who tested positive for Covid-19, I cringe.

Have we now turned into hell’s judges and jury whose job is to separate the saints from the sinners? Unlike other viruses, this one gets to you when you least expect it. So what is the rationale for wanting to know who has the virus?

No one deserves to contract Covid-19.

More so, no one deserves to be treated with disgust when in most cases one is innocently exposed to the virus.

Stigma is not something everyone is … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

Scores of people have been travelling out of the Erongo region to areas such as the far north of the country, after restrictions on parts of the region were lifted.

This has raised fears of a possible transmission of the coronavirus to these areas, as the Erongo region has become the hotspot of the disease.

Walvis Bay has recently become the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting the suspension of issuing of travel permits to people travelling from the region, to combat the spread of the virus.

Oshana health director, Johanna Haimene told The Namibian … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue and Ester Mbathera

INSPECTOR general Sebastian Ndeitunga yesterday sent around 40 staff members from a department at the police headquarters home after one of them was tested for Covid-19.

The Namibian understands that the staff members are all from the Directorate of Gender and Welfare on the fifth floor of the police building.

The employee who was tested is expected to receive his Covid-19 results today, while the rest of the department has now been subjected to quarantine.

Ndeitunga told The Namibian yesterday that the employee who has been subjected to a Covid-19 test allegedly came in … Read More

by Arlana Shikongo

INMATES detained at the Windhoek Correctional Facility say there are no measures at the prison to protect them from the new coronavirus.

“We are under threat. We have been on lockdown since March, but we don’t even get soap,” an inmate who contacted The Namibian anonymously, said.

The inmate complained about overcrowding, a lack of temperature screening of prisoners, and no personal protective equipment for wardens and officers.
“We … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says now that the whole country is out of stage 1 of the Covid-19 state of emergency restrictions the responsibility to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus lies on each individual.

In an interview with The Namibian this afternoon, Shangula urged the public to still practise social distancing and all other Covid-19 guidelines to reduce the chances of getting infected with the virus.

“We are now in the stage where the responsibility falls on the individual rather than the government. Government responsibility was on stage one where government enforced measures. Now when … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Namibia has recorded five more cases of Covid-19, health minister Kalumbi Shangula announced on Tuesday evening.

This cases, which are all from Walvis Bay, bring the country’s number of confirmed novel coronavirus infections to 72.

“These cases are part of the batch that was analysed yesterday but could only be completed today,” Shangula said.

Case 68 is a 41-year-old Namibian woman from Walvis Bay. According to Shangula, she has had no known contact with a confirmed novel coronavirus case.

“She was swabbed on 20 June as part of active case search. She had Covid-19-related signs … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

The ministry of trade and industrialisation has donated 14 000 masks to vulnerable people and senior citizens in the //Kharas region to help combat the spread of Covid-19.

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick, receiving the mask donation for distribution among the vulnerable, on Tuesday expressed her gratitude to trade ministry officials.

Johannes Kisting, the ministry’s regional head in //Kharas, said the masks were produced by small businesses in the region with material … Read More

by Adam Hartman

A testing exercise aimed at having 2 000 people at Walvis Bay checked for Covid-19 by Friday is set to start tomorrow.

The active case identification exercise’s objective is to establish the extent of the spread of Covid-19 in the Walvis Bay district, and to use data collected to plan for response activities in the district, Erongo governor Neville Andre announced on Tuesday afternoon.

“Erongo is faced with the mammoth task of ensuring that we contain the virus – it is here with us and amongst us,” he said during a press conference at Swakopmund.

Over the … Read More

by Taati Niilenge
 
Restaurant owners, arts and craft vendors, boat operators and residents of Walvis Bay were smiling this morning, as they could finally operate and enjoy meals with friends and family.

Places like the Walvis Bay waterfront, which looked like a ghost town for the past three months, was busy today as locals were looking for their favourite meals.
 
Some customers said they especially looked forward to sitting at restaurants situated near the water again. Others said they have missed enjoying drinks with family and friends, as sitting at home alone or ordering food was not fun. 
 … Read More

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says Namibia has recorded four new cases of Covid-19.

Case number 64 is a 71-year male lorry driver who arrived from South Africa and traveled to Oshikango.

He is in a satisfactory condition.

Case 65 is a 65-year-old man from Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay, and a contact of case 35.

Case 66 is a 50-year-old woman, also from Kuisebmond and a contact of case 35.

The last new confirmed infection, case 67, is a 51-year-old woman, also from Kuisebmond, whose contacts are unknown and was part of an active case search.

Namibia now has 67 confirmed Covid-19 … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

Namibia Ports Authority employees are undergoing a contact testing and self isolation process after a spouse of a staff member from the harbour parastatal’s administration block at Walvis Bay recently tested positive for Covid-19.

Tino !Hanabeb, commercial executive at Namport, told The Namibian that operations are continuing as precautionary disinfection of areas in which the employee’s movements were traced have taken place. 

!Hanabeb said the company has adopted a rotational shift system and the shift of the affected employees ended on Monday.

“Nothing has been closed; the department is still operational. No one was sent home as the … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue and Ester Mbathera

Justice minister Yvonne Dausab has called on the public to refrain from stigmatising lorry drivers and people from the Erongo region.

Speaking at a Covid-19 situation update at State House in Windhoek on Monday, Dausab said the public needs to learn that the country finds itself in the current situation and it should be dealt with as a collective.

“Members of the public should not stigmatise people from Walvis Bay and truck drivers, especially because of the situation we find ourselves in. To stigmatise or discriminate against people because of the situation … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

President Hage Geingob says he has communicated with South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa on the issue of medicine shortages in private medical facilities on the local front.

This comes after South Africa came up with new regulations to disallow the export of certain products, which has led to medicine shortages in the private sector, including vaccines for children.

The severe shortages are as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown affecting logistics, which has led to countries such as South Africa changing its export regulations on essential products .… Read More

by Ester Mbathera

NamPost has announced the temporary closure of the Walvis Bay Post Office due to a possible exposure to Covid-19.

The post office is to be closed from tomorrow (23 June) until Friday (26 June).

NamPost corporate communications manager Wilson Shikoto in a media statement this afternoon said the post office will be closed for disinfection.

The Kuisebmund and Narraville post offices will close on Tuesday for precautionary disinfection and reopen on Wednesday.

“The decision comes after careful consideration of the possible risk exposure as one of our employees at Walvis Bay Post Office might have been in … Read More

by Sakeus Iikela, Charmaine Ngatjiheue and Hileni Nembwaya

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob is expected to brief the nation on the government’s direction with regards to the anticipated resumption of face-to-face classes today.

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture yesterday issued a directive to halt the resumption of face-to-face classes for pre-primary children and Grades 1 to 3.

The resumption was in line with the government’s stage 4 lockdown exit plan.

Minister of education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka said pupils who are already at hostels should remain there until further notice.

More than 300 000 pupils were expected … Read More

by Ester Mbathera and Charmaine Ngatjiheue

WALVIS Bay, which has become the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia, is short of 600 beds for quarantine purposes.

The coastal town’s Covid-19 response team is in dire need of beds for contact isolation.

The beds are part of a list of requirements sent to Walvis Bay Urban constituency councillor Knowledge Ipinge’s office on 18 June.

In email correspondence seen by The Namibian yesterday, the acting senior medical officer at Walvis Bay State Hosptial, Dr Martha Ntinda, said the hospital also requires accommodation facilities for medical staff, six cellphones, 100 boxes of … Read More

by Taati Niilenge
 
THE usually busy streets of Kuisebmund were empty today. Most residents are staying indoors after the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the area.

 
“We were complaining about the police and leaders, but they were only trying … People are shaken for the first few hours when they hear about cases, but then they go out again,” Meitavelo Simon from Kuisebmund said.
 
 “I didn’t see many people outside today. It is kind of funny to see my street less busy. Maybe we are finally listening,” Amutenya … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

ERONGO police commander commissioner Andreas Nelumbu has announced a directive to stop issuing of travel permits out of the region, to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“There will be no travel permits issued by the police throughout the region until further notice,” said the commissioner on Sunday afternoon.

Nelumbu also urged the public to strictly observe the safety measures put in place by the government, which include staying at home, and limiting unnecessary movements at all times.

The region’s community affairs commander Ileni Shapumba added that the public should not expect security forces to be out patrolling … Read More

Namibia reports nine new cases of Covid-19, minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula announced this morning.

Case number 47 is a 28-year-old from Kuisebmund, Walvis Bay. She has no travel history.

Case number 48 is a 2-year-old from Kuisebmund, who came in contact with case number 35.

Case number 49 is also from Kuisebmund without any known contacts. Case number 50 travelled from India.

She is 28 and in quarantine. Case number 51 is a 36-year-old from Kuisebmund, followed by case number 52 from Walvis Bay.

Case number 53 is a 51-year-old from Kuisebmund. Case 54 is also … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

MEMBERS of the Walvis Bay community flocked to the Kuisebmond community hall on Saturday to be tested for Covid-19 after a message was circulated on social media that mass testing for the virus was taking place at the venue.

The residents were however turned away and told that the testing was only for those who had been contacted during contact tracing.

The anxious residents said they were disappointed at being turned away because are eager to know their status.

Some were hoping to get their results written on paper so that they can present them to the … Read More

by Ester Mbathera
 
Air Namibia has announced its head office in Windhoek wil be a restricted area until 5 July.

The company’s acting chief executive officer, Elia Erastus, said this measure was taken after an investigation confirmed one of their staff members visited the Namibian Airports Company (NAC) head office on 15 June.
 
Yesterday, the NAC announced a 14-day stage 1 lockdown of their head office, because one of its employees resides at 77 on Independence, reported as one of the places visited by Covid-19 case number 33.
 
“The suspected officer has been on duty since then and … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Namibia reports one more case of Covid-19, minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula announced this morning at the Covid-19 communication centre.

The new case involves a 31-year-old Namibian woman who travelled from Pretoria, South Africa on 17 June.

This brings Namibia’s total cases to 46.

The patient is asymptomatic and in a satisfactory condition. Shangula says Namibia now has 19 recoveries and 27 active cases.

So far 6 837 samples have been tested, with 150 tested yesterday.

Namibia has quarantined 3 213 people, with 684 still quarantined.

Shangula yesterday announced five confirmed cases of Covid-19 at … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

CHIEF executive officer of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) Bisey Uirab today announced a 14-day stage1 lockdown of the company’s head office.

The lockdown is effective from 22 June until 6 July.

“The decision comes after careful consideration of a possible risk of exposure as one of our employees who works at the head office resides at 77 on Independence that was reported as one of the places case number 33 visited,” Uirab said.  
 
Meanwhile, FNB Swakopmund has also temporarily closed its doors for two days after reports of a close relative of a … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

A YOUNG Walvis Bay couple has taken it upon themselves to lessen the burden of families negatively affected by the lockdown by feeding children.

Anastacia de Klerk and Justin Herbert of Narraville decided to mobilise resources from other residents of the town to buy food, as they realised that many children at the town were roaming the streets hungry.
 
“Many people’s salaries were cut. Those who used to sell things cannot do … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

THE Hardap region is on high alert after its first case of Covid-19 was confirmed by the health ministry on Thursday.

Governor Menthos April told a press conference at Mariental on Friday that surveillance teams are hard at work tracing contacts.

He revealed that 17 people who were identified as possible contacts were tested on Thursday, and 10 others more were to be tested on Friday.

The governor said all contacts had been placed under quarantine at the Hardap Resort owned by Namibia Wildlife Resorts near Mariental.

April said the Mariental High School pupil … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula this morning said case number 22 is making good progress, but remains in the intensive care unit.

Namibia has however reported a new Covid-19 case involving a 44-year-old man at Walvis Bay. He is asymptomatic and has not come in contact with any known cases. Contact tracing has commenced.

Namibia now has 40 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 19 recoveries. The country has not reported any deaths.

PANEL DISCUSSION: This morning’s panellists at the Covid-19 communication centre are discussing the impact of Covid-19 on tuberculosis (TB) patients.

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE CONSTRUCTION industry faces huge challenges in completing a number of projects.

Stakeholders in the sector have called for pooling resources together to tackle the challenges the sector is facing.

Speaking at the Covid-19 communication centre yesterday experts said … Read More

by Sara Nghishidimbwa

THE purpose of this article is to appeal to the Namibian government to fulfil or at the very least bring closer to fulfillment its promises to the masses through its laws.

In 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), one of the first global public health treaties aimed at reducing the demand for tobacco products and addressing supply issues.

Its main objective is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

In 2010, Namibia enacted the Tobacco Products Control … Read More

by Yokany Oliveira

WHILE scientists are working towards finding a clinically approved vaccine for Covid-19, people around the world are turning to home remedies to treat the symptoms.

A number of articles can be found online on how herbal medicines, vitamin supplements, and certain foods or teas can alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease – even though they are not a cure.

Some of these may simply help the body fight the … Read More

by Okeri Ngatjiheue

TRUCK drivers across the country have complained about the state of the facilities where they are kept for their mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Damien Mabengano, deputy director of transportation regulations in the Ministry of Works and Transport, yesterday at the Covid-19 communication centre in Windhoek said they have done an assessment of the facilities and noted some do not meet the required standards.

Adherence to regulations in the transport sector was discussed.

“They just call it a quarantine facility, but the things that are happening there . . . the conditions are not conducive and they (drivers) have … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

HEALTH officials this morning said malaria is an epidemic within the Covid-19 pandemic, and efforts to combat infection should be intensified.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Malaria Elimination 8 (E8) ambassador Richard Kamwi said while Covid-19 is the new number-one enemy, malaria has always been around and kills far more people.

He said sub-Saharan Africa is home to 90% of malaria cases globally.

Speaking at a press conference on malaria amid Covid-19, Kamwi said malaria … Read More

by Arlana Shikongo

THE Covid-19 tests conducted on four pupils at Swakopmund on Monday returned negative earlier today.

Heath minister Kalumbi Shangula made the announcement on NBC’s 20h00 news broadcast this evening.

Shangula said the students were tested in line with the ministry’s protocol for expanded targeting testing, which mandates that anyone who presents themself at a heath facility with respiratory ailments is tested for the virus.

“Anybody who comes to the health facility with flu-like symptoms, will be tested.

“We have been doing it before and we will continue to do it. There is nothing special about … Read More

BUSINESS owners in the Erongo region has issued a distress call saying their busineses would not survive the latest lockdown imposed on the region.

Those leading these concerns are businesses operating in the hospitality and culinary industries.

They said more retrenchments could be on the cards as businesses would struggle to cushion the impact of the latest measures.

President Hage Geingob yesterday announced a stage 1 lockdown for the entire Erongo region until 22 June. … Read More

by Elias Ndeyanale

ELMA Dienda, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament, will be quarantined for two weeks after she travelled to South Africa about a month ago for her daughter’s funeral.

Speaking to The Namibian on Monday morning, Dienda confirmed she is under quarantine in Windhoek after she travelled to Upington on 7 May.

She said when she crossed the Ariamsvlei border in the //Kharas region, she was escorted by police from the border to Windhoek to ensure she was placed in quarantine.

“I arrived this morning from South Africa where I had gone to bury my … Read More

by ARLANA SHIKONGO and CHARMAINE NGATJIHEUE

FOUR pupils at a Swakopmund secondary school were yesterday morning tested for Covid-19 after displaying flu-like symptoms.

This was announced in a statement by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture, stating that the four male pupils who reside at the Namib High School Hostel have since been placed in separate rooms in the hostel while awaiting their results.

“We understand that learners, and family of learners, attending this school will be concerned at this time. As an immediate step, the imperative of … Read More

by Yokany Oliveira

THE Namibia Oncology Centre (NOC) says it has been forced to stop the treatment of some of their patients as they await stock from South Africa amid border restrictions.

The private healthcare centre is the biggest facility in Namibia specialising in the treatment of cancer patients.

NOC general manager Anthea van Wyk last week confirmed the centre is facing challenges due to the delay of some chronic medication.

“Unfortunately, we have been experiencing a severe shortage of certain medicines since the lockdown was implemented in South Africa,” Van Wyk said.

She said half of the oncology centre’s … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

SEVERAL pupils from Walvis Bay, who attend schools at Swakopmund, were sent home after reporting for class last week.

Schools around the country, with the exception of those at Walvis Bay, resumed face-to-face learning last Wednesday for Grades 11 and 12.

At least 11 pupils were sent home to Walvis Bay after attempting to attend classes at Swakopmund.

Sibanga Sinvula, principal of … Read More

Namibia reports two more positive Covid-19 cases, both travel related. This brings Namibia’s total number of cases to 31.

Case number 30 involves a 27-year-old who returned from India and has been quarantined at a Karasburg facility.

Her condition is satisfactory. Case number 31 is a 50-year-old Namibian woman who also travelled from India. She is also in a satisfactory condition.… Read More

by Luqman Cloete

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick has stressed the importance of wearing face masks in public spaces in an effort to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is imperative to wear face masks at all times in the public space as part of the ongoing fight against the invincible enemy Covid-19,” she said at the handing over of masks to patients at Keetmanshoop State Hospital on Friday.

Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs manufactured the masks with material donated by the industrialisation and trade ministry.

Frederick lauded the empowerment of //Kharas SMEs through the donation of the material that … Read More

HEALTH UPDATE: Namibia’s Covid-19 cases now stand at 29, with the possibility of a local transmission at Walvis Bay.

Shangula, who was speaking at the Covid-19 communication centre this morning in Windhoek, said four students, who are currently quarantined in Windhoek, have also tested positive. The students had travelled from South Africa.

Meanwhile, case 26, which is suspected to be locally transmitted, is a 44-year-old man from Walvis Bay. The man has no travel history and investigations of the source of infection are ongoing.

by Hileni Nembwaya

THE police in Oshana region have launched an urgent tracing operation of two truck drivers who allegedly abandoned their work trucks at Ondangwa and Omahenene border post after arriving in Namibia from South Africa earlier this week.

Both trucker drivers are employees of The 6000 Transport at Ondangwa.

It remains unclear whether the truck drivers were placed under mandatory quarantine when they entered the country.

However, the owner of The 6000 Transport, Mario Mwenyo, upon learning that the truck drivers abandoned their trucks, reported the matter to the police to allow … Read More

ALL 14 regions of the country will on Monday migrate to stage 3 of the lockdown exit strategy for the next 28 days – except for Walvis Bay, which will go back to stage 1 until 8 June.

President Hage Geingob announced this yesterday during a media briefing at State House.

The complete lockdown of Walvis Bay is effective immediately following two concurrent Covid-19 cases in the town.

The observance period will be monitored weekly and may be extended.

This is because case number 21 and 22, both from Walvis Bay, have been in contact with over 100 people between … Read More

MIKE COLLETT-WHITE

AS much of the world begins to emerge from lockdowns, people are looking back at time spent cut off from friends, family and colleagues by the coronavirus and forward to what happens next.

Reuters has captured some of those reflections along with portraits from across Africa and the Middle East … Read More

The Namibia Red Cross Society currently has 230 volunteers who have been trained on both Covid-19 prevention measures and psychological support. These volunteers are involved in risk communication and community engagement in nine regions across the country.

Helman Aluvilu, one of the volunteers, is serving at the Omahenene border post village in the Omusati region. He helps villagers install tippy taps and demonstrates proper hand-washing techniques.

Aluvilu’s commitment garnered the attention of the regional police, who came to his aid with food and accommodation.

According to spokesperson Edmund Khoaseb, stakeholders in the region have decided to set up a team … Read More

NAMIBIA has recorded another Covid-19 case.

The latest case involves a 63-year-old Namibian man who is admitted in the intensive care unit of a Walvis Bay hospital.

The man arrived at the coastal town on a fishing vessel from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 5 May as part of an eight-member crew, including four Namibians.

Minister of health Kalumbi Shangula told the daily Covid-19 information session in Windhoek yesterday that the fishing vessel left Walvis Bay on 25 April to export certain products to the DRC, which the vessel reached on 30 … Read More

ERONGO region is stepping up measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, after a truck driver tested positive for the disease over the weekend at Walvis Bay.

This trucker became Namibia’s 21st case of the virus. It is alleged he was infected when he was transporting essential goods from South Africa.

Erongo governor Neville Itope yesterday told the media that an emergency meeting of members of the disaster risk management committee was held on Tuesday to discuss a proper response to the latest case.

Itope said the regional health directorate will strengthen its testing, screening and education in … Read More

PETRUS MURONGA

A company appointed to construct a Nkurenkuru primary healthcare facility in 2014, which is still not completed, has since April refused to hand over the site to new contractors for the completion of the project.

Shafombabi Eedopi Construction was supposed to complete the facility on 15 April 2015, but has until now reportedly been holding up the Ministry of Health and Social Services after the ministry resolved to appoint six contractors to finish the structure.

Sirkka Ausiku, governor of the Kavango West region, says she is disappointed by the contractor’s conduct during a state of emergency.… Read More

WHO SAYS THE AMERICAS ARE NEW EPICENTRE

BRASILIA – The Americas have emerged as a new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says, as a United States study forecast deaths surging in Brazil and other Latin American countries through August.

“Now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions,” Carissa Etienne, WHO director for the Americas … Read More

KIM HARRISBERG

JOHANNESBURG – Widows across the globe are being evicted, forced to give up property or to marry male relatives after their husbands die from the new coronavirus, land rights experts said on Tuesday.

Women often only earn legal or socially recognised rights to land and property through a husband or father, which are regularly violated during times of crisis, such as war or the HIV-AIDS pandemic, they said – and the coronavirus is no exception.

“Covid-19 is a widow-maker,” Karol Boudreaux, chief programme officer at the land rights charity Landesa, told a webinar organised by the Land Portal … Read More

WAKOPMUND – The security forces in Erongo will be enforcing the strict use of the Dune 7 dual carriageway between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to prevent lorries from using the C13 road to enter the town of Walvis Bay.

This is to ensure the screening of all lorry drivers and escorting of trucks to the port of Walvis Bay and the quarantine facility at the harbour town, Erongo governor Neville Andre-Itope said at a media briefing yesterday. He added that the regional health directorate has been tasked to identify more quarantine and isolation facilities where stringent measures will be put … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor on Tuesday asked about 30 employees from its head office at Walvis Bay to work from home, following reports that two employees had come into contact with a person who had contact with a lorry driver suspected to have been exposed to Covid-19.
 
A spokesperson of the electricity distributor, Benjamin Nangombe, told The Namibian the employees were sent home to self-isolate, and that they would return to their offices at the start of next week.

He said the closure of ErongoRED’s head office is to have the premises disinfected to minimise the risk of exposure … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

AN elderly woman at Walvis Bay has warned the community to be on the lookout for a group of four men and a woman who she claims are masquerading as health officials testing for Covid-19.

The 85-year-old Francina Williams told The Namibian the five people came to her house at around 10h00 this morning claiming to be “health officials from a private Covid-19 organisation”.

“The young man came to me and … Read More

by Yokany Oliveira

WITH the sale and buying of alcohol off limits as part of the state of emergency regulations, many regular drinkers may find it an uphill battle to relax without their favourite beverage.

A wellness centre has urged those struggling with drinking habits to use this period for positive change – even after the two-month long alcohol ban is possibly lifted on 2 June.

Cornerstone Wellness Centre in Windhoek offers support to people struggling with substance abuse and says alcoholics, or those struggling with alcohol, should seek professional help and make use of family support where available.

The … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE police have dished out fines of close to N$100 000 to people who contravened the alcohol ban between 5 and 25 May.

This was said by Khomas regional police commander Joseph Shikongo at a press briefing yesterday, who said 49 people had been arrested for either buying or selling alcohol during that period.

He reiterated that the smuggling of alcohol from Angola continues to increase.

“From 5 to 25 May, about 49 suspects were arrested for dealing with alcohol, either buying or selling and an amount of N$60 000 was paid in … Read More

LOW VIRUS DEATH RATE BUT MIGRANT WORRIES FOR INDIA

MUMBAI – India yesterday recorded a total of 145 380 coronavirus infections and a death toll of 4 167, comparatively low figures for the world’s second most populous country.

But separate states witnessing millions of migrant labourers returning from the big cities were recording rising infections, officials said, fearing that the pandemic could spread through villages where medical care is basic at best.

Health ministry officials said India’s death rate stood at 0,3 deaths per 100 000 people, compared to what they said was a world average of 4,4.… Read More

by Farid Farid

CAIRO – State surveillance is on the rise globally as governments such as Egypt’s take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic, warns exiled historian and intellectual Khaled Fahmy.

by Ester Mbathera

WALVIS Bay urban constituency councillor Knowledge Ipinge has ordered a transport company and a bank to close their premises at the town due to fears of the spread of the coronavirus.

In a letter to the management of FP du Toit Transport company, Ipinge said he was ordering the closure of the company’s depot after a truck driver who was quarantined there tested positive for Covid-19 at the weekend.

Ipinge said he was acting “through the power vested in me as an authorised officer in terms of section 33 and 34 of the Disaster Risk … Read More

by Namibia Press Agency

THE reopening of schools is posing a challenge to members of the security cluster who are accommodated in several school hostels countrywide.

Their deployment in various towns and at roadblocks is aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 through inter-regional travel.

Erongo police commander, commissioner Andreas Nelumbu told the governor’s weekly media update that with the reopening of schools, these officers will be required to evacuate the hostels.

“This will be a challenge for us in terms of accommodating them to carry out their duties,” he said.

The commissioner said consultations … Read More

Namibia has reported another positive Covid-19 case, bringing the total cases to 22. The 63-year-old patient is in a critical condition and is on a ventilator at a Walvis Bay hospital.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula made this announcement at the Covid-19 communication centre in Windhoek this morning, and said the patient had been on a fishing vessel that had returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo to export products.   

Walvis Bay Urban constituency regional councillor Knowledge Ipinge has urged the public to refrain from making discriminatory remarks on social media or other public platforms against the cross-border lorry driver who tested positive for Covid-19 at Walvis Bay.

Ipinge says remarks aimed against the driver have negatively affected him and also his family. The 47-year-old driver is currently helping the health authorities trace people with whom he has been in contact recently.

The driver received a heavy backlash on social media from the public for visiting a local bank and leaving the company premises where he was expected to stay … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

SOME parents at Walvis Bay are urging others to embrace home learning during the coronavirus crisis, as it has benefited their children.

They say they have been helping their children in an environment that is not crowded, which improved reading and mathematics skills a lot.

“It was hard in the begining, but I soon started changing from parent to serious teacher until after class. My child’s feedback from her teacher was really bad … Read More

PUPILS will be divided into smaller groups for teaching when schools reopen on 3 June, the executive director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has said.

This forms part of the recently released guidelines for education staff to ensure continued learning and preparedness for the resumption of face-to-face tuition after the Covid-19 national lockdown.

“Learners should be divided into smaller groups for teaching. This is possible since the other classrooms for Grades 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 will be empty as they are only expected to return on 20 July 2020. The number … Read More

This morning’s panellists will discuss African governments’ response to Covid-19. Panellists are deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, health minister Kalumbi Shangula and South African high commissioner Archie Whitehead.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said refugees hosted in African countries are being educated on the pandemic, adding no refugee has tested positive for Covid-19.

Whitehead said once the first case was announced in South Africa, president Cyril Ramophosa quickly implemented a lockdown. He said if the country did not act, they would not have been able to deal with the virus.

South Africa plans on easing the lockdown … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

In an effort to meet the government halfway in the fight against Covid-19, a tailor in the Ohangwena region, Helaria Sheehama, trading as Meme Tangeni Tailoring, and a Helao Nafidi resident donated 200 masks to the Ohangwena Regional Council at Eenhana.

The masks are to be distributed to disadvantaged communities in the region.

Ohangwena region disaster risk management chairperson Erickson Ndawanifa, who received the masks on behalf of the regional council, assured the community the masks will be fairly distributed.

“Thank … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

WALVIS Bay urban constituency councillor Knowledge Ipinge has urged the community not to panic after reports of a positive Covid-19 case at the town.

A truck driver who reportedly escaped from the company quarantine facility last week tested positive for the virus today.

“The truck driver who tested positive is now in a state of quarantine, meaning that the person should remain under isolation until the Ministry of Health and Social Services determines there’s no longer a risk of secondary transmission to other community members. This notion that the truck drivers snuck out from the remains unclear … Read More

Total worldwide coronavirus cases as of 24 May, 18h00: 5 446 569

Deaths: 344 755 Recovered: 2 274 324

Most-affected countries

1. United States: 1 671 358 confirmed infections; 98 774 deaths including New York: 369 656 cases; 29 112 deaths
2. Brazil: 352 163 cases; 22 214 deaths
3. Russia: 344 481 cases; 3 541 deaths
4. Spain: 282 370 cases; 28 678 deaths

Most-affected African countries

1. South Africa: 21 343 confirmed infections; 407 deaths
2. Egypt: 16 513 cases; 735 deaths
3. Algeria: 8 113 cases; 592 deaths
4. Nigeria: 7 526 cases; 221 deaths

Southern Africa numbers

South Africa: 21 343 cases; … Read More

by Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING – The United States should stop wasting time in its fight against the coronavirus and work with China to combat it, rather than spreading lies and attacking the country, top Chinese government diplomat Wang Yi said on Sunday.

by Ndanki Kahiurika

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula this morning announced another Namibian has tested positive for Covid-19.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 20.

Shangula said this particular case involves a Namibian man (35), who tested positive two days before his 14-day quarantine period was over.

He urged those in quarantine to maintain social distancing and to refrain from visiting each other’s rooms.

“The man does not display any symptoms. His condition is satisfactory. He will remain in isolation untill he is cleared,” said Shangula.… Read More

by Namibia Press Agency

The fight against Covid-19 will never be defeated without including Africa in the global response, the executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, has said.

Byanyima in a media statement on Thursday raised concern that in much of the global Covid-19 conversation, Africa is barely mentioned but the risks that the Covid-19 crisis bring are even greater in Africa than elsewhere.

“And those risks will be compounded if Africa is marginalised in the global response,” she said.

She said beating Covid-19 in Africa, in turn, is essential for … Read More

by Roxane Bayer

BOTH the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) are urging members to remain united and comply with Covid-19 regulations, while they continue monitoring the situation.

In a statement on Friday, Napwu secretary general Petrus Nevonga, and Nantu secretary general Loide Shaanika, said both unions are recognised by the Namibian government as bargaining agents for public servants.

“We have found ourselves in a critical situation since the outbreak of the pandemic, which has threatened the economies of countries around the world, including Namibia,” said Nevonga and Shaanika.

According to them, … Read More

by James Jamu

The Covid-19 pandemic has put the future of the art world in an uncertain position.

Many artists around the world depend on mass gatherings to make a living.

The drastic halt of events and business in this industry has compromised the livelihood of stand-up comedians, visual artists, actors and musicians.

A modern David and Goliath story has unfolded.

Goliath is an insurmountable avalanche predisposed to shaking the world up.

Scrawny David in our current circumstances is a collection of artists and curators entrenched in a continuous battle to preserve their right to expression in an unstable era. … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The Angolan government withdrew from an agreement that would have seen 39 Angolans returning home today.   

Air Namibia has arranged for a repatriation flight scheduled to depart at 07h50 this morning. The airplane left without the Angolan nationals and is scheduled to return tonight from a round trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Tanzania with six Namibians to be airlifted from Luanda.

The Namibian embassy in Luanda has reportedly been informed by their host country’s authorities that they are ready to receive their nationals.

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation … Read More

It involves a 29-year-old Namibian who travelled from South Africa. Health minister Kalumbi Shangula announced the news this morning at the Covid-19 communication centre in Windhoek, saying the patient is in quarantine and will be transferred to an isolation facility today.

“He does not display any symptoms and is in a satisfactory condition,” the minister said.

Latest Covid-19 updates in Namibia from the Ministry of Health:

by Luqman Cloete

A PLAN by a South African couple to buy cigarettes in Namibia to beat the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products in their country, as part of lockdown regulations, has landed them behind bars.

The //Kharas police crime investigations coordinator, Chrispin  Mubebo, today said police arrested the couple for illegally crossing the border into Namibia at Noordoewer on 11 May.

According to Mubebo, the couple crossed the Orange River on foot in their quest to buy tobacco products and other commodities at Noordoewer.

He said in a separate incident another South African man was … Read More

by Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka

THE Covid-19 pandemic, one of the world’s most significant events, has had far-reaching consequences.

It has resulted in the cessation of economic activities that will lead to a significant decline in production, unprecedented social disruption, and the loss of millions of jobs.

Estimates are that the contraction of the region’s economies will cost Sub-Saharan Africa between US$35 billion and US$100 billion due to a decline in output and a steep drop in commodity prices – especially the crash of oil prices.

More fundamentally, the pandemic has brutally exposed the hollowness of African economies on two fronts: the … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE Namibian Competition Commission says there is evidence that retailers overpriced Covid-19 essentials such masks, hand sanitisers, and immune boosting products such as oranges, naartjies and raw ginger.

The commission said the prices of these products increased by betwee 14% and 1000%, despite not being affected by supply chain challenges that could have resulted in shortages.

Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) corporate communications practitioner Dina //Gowases said in a statement this week that consumers have indicated that they are paying a lot more for these essential products.

“The commission has over the past 4-5 weeks received numerous complaints … Read More

This morning’s panel is discussing the reopening of schools and the return of pupils in phases. Panellists include executive director of education Sanet Steenkamp and Khomas education director Gerard Vries.

Steenkamp said the ministry has been planning pupils’ return to schools. She said 80% of schools are ready to receive pupils.

According to her shools have procured soap and tippy taps, and have undergone deep cleaning. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture will provide funding for schools needing resources, she said.

Steenkamp said children’s health is priority.

She said if a child is sick, he or she … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjihueue

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula says his ministry is faced with challenges of having to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak while tackling  existing health problems at the same time.

Speaking at the Covid-19 communication centre in Windhoek this morning, Shangula said diseases such as hepatitis E and malaria are still persisting in Namibia to date.

He said the control of hepatitis E greatly benefited from the interventions against Covid-19 and the country is now reporting fewer cases.

“Malaria is another disease of great health importance. This year, Namibia experienced good rain and we are now seeing … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

The Rehoboth Town Council says it does not have the money needed to build a suitable market for hawkers and street vendors at the town to use.

A breakdown of the projected costs indicates that the council would need N$656 880 for an open market which would include 20 stalls and provide for basic hygiene and sanitation standards and the required social distancing.

While discussing measures in place to address Covid-19 and economic hardships of local authorities on Tuesday afternoon, a local economic development officer of the council, Jonathan Ockhuizen, said they have identified two suitable areas … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

The salt producer Walvis Bay Salt Refiners has continued to operate and make salt for domestic use and export during Namibia’s Covid-19 fight.

With salt production classified as part of essential services, and a demand from all over the world for the salt it produces, the company has been kept in business since restrictions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus in Namibia came into force near the end of March.

“We are grateful to have been allowed to operate during the stage 1 lockdown,” the managing director of the company, Andre Snyman, said at a … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

The annual Nama Cultural Festival has been postponed for a year. The event was scheduled to take place from 21 to 24 May.

The festival organising committee chairperson, David Eigub, in a press statement issued yesterday announced that this year’s event will be cancelled and postponed to May 2021 due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As organisers of one of the biggest cultural events in southern Africa we cannot understate the importance of ensuring full compliance with the precautionary measures put in place by the Namibian government and the Namibian … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Health ministry deputy executive director Petronella Masabane says it is a long-standing arrangement for Angolan citizens to seek medical treatment in Namibia, especially for chronic medication.

She said this at the Covid-19 communication centre in Windhoek on Tuesday, while giving clarity on Angolan nationals seeking medical care in Namibia.

She said this arrangement remains in place, with Angolans making use of designated border posts to enter Namibia, but noted that the Namibia-Angola border is still being crossed … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

ANALYSTS are calling on the government to stimulate production sectors such as agriculture, mining, and tourism and hospitality to create employment post-Covid-19.

This comes after the Ministry of Labour last week announced 543 people at 10 companies have been retrenched during the lockdown.

The retrenchments took place between 27 March and … Read More

MINISTER of sport, youth and national service, Agnes Tjongarero said “only those who really need” should get food aid during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She was speaking at the handover of emergency food parcels at Usakos last Friday. The food parcels were acquired by a group calling themselves Sons and Daughters of Usakos who raised … Read More

MINISTER of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said 84 Namibians returned home from South Africa on Saturday and are in quarantine.

A total of 36 came from Cape Town and 48 from Johannesburg. Shangula said seven of the returnees are kept in Windhoek, while the remainder are in various quarantine facilities in the regions – all at the government’s expense.

“The government has made substantive investments in prevention as we believe it is cheaper to prevent the disease than to treat it,” he said.

Nanso launches food aid programme

THE Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) on Friday launched … Read More

Speaking at the Covid-19 Communication Centre in Windhoek this morning, finance ministry spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu said the application process for the Emergency Income Grant was designed for Namibians in possession of national documents.

Those without documents do not qualify for the grant.

Shidhudhu said they have targeted 739 000 people for the grant and have received 900 700 applications, of which 576 000 have been approved and processed for payment.

The application period closed on 30 April midnight, but Shidhudhu said the ministry provided three extra days to accommodate applicants who had to reapply. He said lines also closed on … Read More

by Ndanki Kahiurika

Dr Kalumbi Shangula, minister of health and social services, this morning at the Covid-19 Communication Centre announced Namibia now has 10 recoveries from the 16 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

“The effect of how we conduct ourselves in stage 2 will become apparent in the weeks to come. Let us endure this pain in order to experience the joy of tomorrow,” said Shangula.

So far, 1 511 people have been tested and the country has zero deaths.
According to the World Health Organisation, there are 3,8 million confirmed cases globally, with 268 000 deaths.

In Africa, South … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

THE Ministry of Works and Transport has issued a stern warning to all public transport operators to desist from taking advantage of the Covid-19 crisis by increasing fares.

In a press release minister John Mutorwa said excessive pricing is illegal and any operator who is guilty of this will be legally dealt with.

“The ministry has learnt some operators…are charging customers and commuters in excess of the prescribed tariffs in respect of the various routes, throughout the country. The ministry would like to earnestly request all operators to cease from such practice as the right … Read More

This morning’s panellists at the Covid-19 Communication Centre will address the issue of e-learning development by the education ministry.

Nitschke says distance education students are more advantaged than full-time students as they receive all study material when they register. He said face-to-face classes have been disrupted, but Namcol has seen to it that learning sessions reach students. He said they can listen to sessions … Read More

This morning’s discussion at the Covid-19 Communication Centre is on the impact of the pandemic on productivity. Panellists are Daan Strauss of the Namibian Employers Federation, deputy director of labour market information David Iigonda, and National Union of Namibian Workers’ Job Muniaro.

NEF Secretary General Strauss said there was a lack of business continuity plans and measuring productivity of those staff working from home. He added that adapting to working remotely was also effected and the psychological aspect and fears of livelihoods and economy which had to be dealt with by employers.

He said working remotely … Read More

This morning’s discussion at the Covid-19 Communication Centre is on the continuation of teaching and learning in stage 2 of lockdown. Panellists are basic education minister Anna Nghipondoka and basic education executive director Sanet Steenkamp.

Nghipondoka reiterated that schools reopened on 20 April, but teachers are working remotely to ensure education and learning continue through alternative means. She said pupils could learn both online, offline and with printed material.

Nghipondoka says her ministry’s staff can now physically go back to school unless they are considered vulnerable and this is confirmed by a physician. She said pupils will remain at home. … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

MEMBERS of the public who are found without a mask in public will be fined N$2 000 or face six months’ imprisonment. This according to stage 2 regulations.

During this stage of exiting the national Covid-19 lockdown all Namibians must wear a mask in a public place.

“An authorised officer may instruct a person who is not wearing a mask to wear … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

TOURISM minister Pohamba Shifeta this morning launched a conservation relief, recovery and resilience facility aimed at addressing the long-term impact of Covid-19 on conservancies.

The Environmental Investment Fund will run the facility in addition to the N$6 million it committed.

Speaking at the Covid-19 Communication Centre this morning, Shifeta said the total amount committed to the facility stands at N$16 million, and his ministry is engaging other stakeholders to also … Read More

To support the tourism sector and in addressing the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on this sector, experts this morning will be launching a conservation relief, recovery and resilient facility at the Covid-19 Communication Centre in Windhoek.

Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue says confirmed Covid-19 cases still stand at 16, with eight recoveries.

So far 1 163 tests have been conducted, she said at the Covid-19 Communication … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

CONFUSION is reigning supreme over a donation of 4 500 Covid-19 rapid-test kits Namibia allegedly made to Zimbabwe.

Earlier this week, Zimbabwean vice-president Kembo Mohadi confirmed to Newsday, a Zimbabwean daily newspaper, the receipt of the test kits from Namibia.

Zimbabwe’s minister of information and broadcasting services Monica Mutsvangwa corroborated his sentiments to a Namibian daily.

However, Mutsvangwa, who previously lived in Namibia, made an about-turn to The Namibian today saying there was no such donation.

“There was no donation from the Namibian government,” Mutsvangwa said though she earlier confirmed the donation to a Namibian daily on … Read More

COVID-19 UPDATE: Deputy health minister Esther Utjiua Muinjangue says there are seven Covid-19 recoveries so far and still 16 confirmed cases. She says panellists will discuss the deployment of healthcare professionals in the fight against the pandemic so far.

Bertha Katjivena, deputy executive director of health, is discussing the importance of the deployment of healthcare professionals at the Covid-19 Communication Centre this morning. She is joined by deputy director of health Anna Isaacs and moderator Tutu Haukena.

Deputy executive director of health Bertha Katjivena says the ministry is currently recruiting medical graduates as a temporary measure to fight … Read More

Information minister Peya Mushelenga says Namibia had engaged the European Union to find the best way of fighting Covid-19. He was speaking at the Covid-19 Communication Centre (CCC) on Friday discussing the N$172 million EU grant to Namibia for the Covid-19 fight.

Mushelenga said the funds would release the fiscus of a huge budget.

EU ambassador to Namibia Sinikka Antisa said the funds are general budget support and a very particular type of support.

She said the N$172 million will be put … Read More

Speaking at the Covid-19 information centre in Windhoek on Thursday, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe says Namibia still has the best health infrastructure compared to other African countries, despite some challenges.

Nangombe is speaking with fellow panellist Thomas Mbeeli, acting director of health technology and infrastructure management, on the preparedness of the ministry of health for Covid-19.

Namibia has one main referral hospital, three intermediate hospitals, 31 district hospitals, 43 health centers and 279 clinics.

He said the Windhoek Central Hospital casualty is being used as a ICU facility for infectious diseases, a 12 bed facility has … Read More

EXPERTS in the agricultural sector will this morning discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the agricultural sector. Similar to tourism, agriculture is one of the sectors hit the hardest by the pandemic.

Speaking at the at the Covid-19 Communication Centre, Percy Misika said the tough times faced by the agricultural sector is not as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but rather the devastating three-year drought Namibia has had to face.… Read More

Trade minister Lucia Iipumbu says the government has revisited one of its restrictions of the lockdown and decided to open up shops not only to provide clothing and other materials for expectant mothers and their babies, but also to provide winter clothing and other materials such as blankets as winter approaches. Iipumbu said this at the Covid-19 Communication Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

She added that the ministry has already drafted letters to retailers to open winter clothing sections, especially for children. These shops are expected to open their winter clothing sections by tomorrow or by the time they’ve … Read More

City of Windhoek chief executive Robert Kahimise says they have set up a response team committee headed by city police chief Abraham Kanime. Kahimise says the municipality’s operations have been impacted by Covid-19.

The majority of employees providing essential services, and front line staff are provided with personal protective equipment. The municipality plans on opening cash halls for three days from Wednesday where residents can make payments.

Kahimise says they have no other option, because some people refuse to deposit money. The municipality has over 300 000 employees and receives a budget of N$4,3 billion. They are considering … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE World Health Organisation donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to Namibia.

WHO country representative Charles Sagoe Moses presented the PPE to health minister Kalumbi Shangula at the Covid-19 communication centre on Monday afternoon.

“We have enough PPE in terms of gloves, face masks, and they can take care of over 1 000 health workers. We want them to be assured that their needs are protected. If they are not safe, then … Read More

Deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue says there are no new confirmed Covid-19 cases. There are currently six recoveries and 10 active cases who are asymptomatic.

The deputy minister said the ministry has started rolling out testing for those under quarantine and 160 people have been tested. The ministry will further conduct testing at the Covid-19 Communication Centre this week.

Muinjangue says the reason for social mobilisation is to keep community members informed and updated on Covid-19 issues. She said community health workers are provided with a tool kit to guide them on what to focus on when informing … Read More

by Yokany Oliveira

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula said several groups of people who arrived before the initial lockdown became effective last month were not put under full quarantine.

Shangula told The Namibian on Wednesday that the group of passengers who arrived on 26 March at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek “refused to be quarantined”.

A total of 86 passengers arrived that day, according to Shangula.

“The group at HKIA was uncooperative and refused to be quarantined. That time we did not have Proclamation Number 9 in place,” he said.

The State of Emergency Proclamation Act 9 … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE national coordinator of the Covid-19 task force, Bernard Haufiku, says they suspect there are undetected cases of Covid-19 community transmission in the country.

Speaking at the Covid-19 communication centre yesterday afternoon, Haufiku said scientifically it is not possible for Namibia to not have recorded any new cases for the past 10 days.

“It could be the fact that we are not testing enough people is the reason why we have no new cases reported. However, Namibia is following … Read More

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has announced that the Covid-19 lockdown will be extended from midnight on Friday, 17 April, to midnight on 4 May. The president said the country will effectively re-open on 5 May; movement within the whole country will be restricted until then.

Geingob said that all regions will thus be grouped into zones and added that the health of all Namibians remains a top priority.

“The current lockdown in the two regions (Khomas and Erongo) has not been efficient,” health minister Kalumbi Shangula said.

A country world lockdown is needed to curtail the further spread … Read More

Minister of tourism Pohamba Shifeta says the tourism and hospitality industry has already felt the reverberating effects of the lockdown as the majority of approximately 120 000 directly employed people in that industry are sitting at home with no pay.

Namibia Tourism Association chairman Bernd Schneider says tourism is going to be in for a tough ride not only for the next few months, but in the following year. “This is going to impact us quite until 2021.”

Schneider says lodges currently have no business because the majority of the industry’s income is generated through foreign travellers. He … Read More

by Terttu Newaka

THE Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has warned the public against doing home-testing for Covid-19 to accurately detect active infections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council’s registrar of medicine Johannes Gaeseb said the rapid test [also referred to as the point-of-care antibody test] is not intended for self-testing and is only designed for use by health care professionals.

“It has come to the attention of NMRC (Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council) that there are rapid-testing kits available in the country intended for home use, that is, self-testing. Please, note that due to the seriousness of … Read More

Executive director of health, Ben Nangombe, says confirmed local Covid-19 cases still stand at 16, with three recovered.

Eleven cases are in the Khomas region, one in //Kharas and four in Erongo.

Nangombe says the groups that were quarantined at Greiters centre and in the Hardap region have been released.

He explained quarantine is for those who have travelled from affected countries but does not mean the person is a suspected case.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) country director Dr Eric Dziuban dispelled rumours that drinking alcohol, eating garlic or drinking hot water with lemon fights … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

The government is pondering the possibility of providing guarantees to financial institutions giving consumers loan and mortgage holidays in a bid to cushion the effects of Covid-19.

Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi yesterday said the focus is on optimally utilising scarce resources to improve key sectors.
He said while banking clients are considered, education is another sector to be pondered.

“It may not be easy to convince banks to give zero … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

A COVID-19 task force consisting of churches recently handed over clothing, food and other items worth N$21 000 to a group of homeless people, who are accommodated at the Khomasdal Soccer Field.

The church task force is a joint effort of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) and the Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in Namibia (ACPCN) as a response to Covid-19.

Pastor Shalom Nghifitikeko told … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE Capricorn Group, a wholly Namibian company, has pledged N$5 million towards efforts to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

The funds have been committed by Capricorn’ subsidiaries, Bank Windhoek, Capricorn Asset Management and Entrepo Holdings and the contributions are in the form of cash or specific vital goods.

Capricorn Group chief executive officer Thinus Prinsloo made this announcement in a statement today, saying their mission is to meet government half way while their priority is to save lives.

“As a group with deep roots in Namibia and a footprint in … Read More

by Adam Hartman

ORANO Mining Namibia donated sanitiser gel and surgical gloves and masks worth N$30 000 to the Erongo police on Tuesday.

The protective gear would be used by the police and defence force members jointly stationed at the 16 stations within the Erongo region that forms the centre of the Covid-19 response.

The officers stationed within … Read More

The economic income grant (EIG) is for people who lost their livelihoods in the informal sector as well as the unemployed, says finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi.

As long as you are between 18 and 59 years and you are not benefiting from any other social grants, you qualify for this grant.

Students do not qualify for the EIG because they didn’t not lose any livelihood incomes. People who lost jobs in the formal sector do not qualify for EIG, as they will be catered for under different schemes. As they are known through the taxbase.… Read More

by Taati Niilenge

WALVIS Bay residents continue to deliver donations, to be distributed to needy people during the Covid-19 lockdown, at regional council offices at the town.

Sugar, maize meal and water valued at N$ 20 000 were donated by Albertus Shafa Shitatu.

“The water is a donation towards the police and defence force who have to patrol the streets of Walvis Bay every day, while the food will be given to the needy during this time,” he said.

“I urge those who can assist in their personal capacity, to please do so as we do not know … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

The police in Erongo say their stations in the region are inundated with requests by the public to travel out of Erongo for emergency purposes.

The Namibian Police’s community affairs commander for the Erongo region, Ileni Shapumba, says on a daily basis since the lockdown was implemented police stations in the region have been handling more than fifty emergency travel requests related to deaths and funerals.

According to Shapumba, a few of the requests are genuine but most are not, but the police cannot verify each and every request.

“Most of the requests are motivated … Read More

by Ndanki Kahuirika

SOME 37 gender-based violence cases have been reported in Windhoek since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, with alcohol abuse as the main contributing factor.

Robert Kahimise, the chief executive officer of the City of Windhoek, revealed this on Thursday at a press conference where he updated the media of the city’s efforts towards fighting Covid-19.

He said people are still using alcohol despite the state of emergency prohibiting the selling of alcohol. “Hence, we are issuing a general warning to perpetrators that the law will take its course,” he said.

Kahimise said the city authorities have … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

A HEALTH worker has become the fourteenth person in Namibia confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, the minister of health, Kalumbi Shangula, has announced.

Shangula said the latest case was also part of a group still being monitored in isolation.

The latest victim came into contact with the third person who was confirmed to be infected with the virus – a German national who has since recovered.

Also on Thursday, the ministry of information said it was considering other measures to control the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among people in the informal sector of the … Read More

by Taati Niilenge

A Namibian citizen working in Ecuador is urging Namibians to comply with the coronavirus lockdown rules. Moderatha Shaduka says she sees the Namibian situation in the media, and is shocked at how some people are behaving.

“We have been on lockdown for the past 15 days, and it has not been easy, but we have to comply to the rules. Nobody is allowed to even go out to see friends and family. I had to call paramedics when I fell ill the other day. They come to you because you cannot go to hospital, for fear that … Read More

by Nomhle Kangootui

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula today said the patient regarded as the third confirmed case of the coronavirus in Namibia has recovered and will be returning to Germany.

The minister said he was the only patient who was admitted to hospital after testing positive several weeks ago. He added that the patient was tested twice and as both results came back negative, he was discharged yesterday from Windhoek Central Hospital.

“This is case number three, who will soon be going to his home as a healthy person,” Shangula said.… Read More

President Hage Geingob says the country currently has only 11 confirmed coronavirus infections, but “we don’t have the means to test”.

President Hage Geingob is currently briefing the country on the latest developments regarding the Covid-19 national response measures from the State House.

Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says the government will be providing financial support to individuals to mitigate the economic impact of Covid-19.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula today said the government’s aim is to ensure that Namibia does not reach the same level of positive cases as foreign countries have.

He urged the … Read More

by Ester Mbathera
 
THE business community at Walvis Bay has started to sacrifice some of their profits in aid of the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Baleia Do Mar Industrial Safety Supplies has donated face masks, overalls, cover suits and examination gloves to the Walvis Bay Municipality and the Namibian Police. Part of the donation will also go to the new Covid-19 containerised ward that is under construction at Walvis Bay State Hospital.

The donation is valued … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THE health ministry is searching for a South African couple that tested positive for the novel coronavirus in that country and travelled to Namibia.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula confirmed to The Namibian on Monday that the ministry is tracing the couple and contacts, and said he suspected they were tested in South Africa before travelling to Namibia.

He, however, noted that Namibia’s number of confirmed coronavirus infections remained at 11 and the couple was included in South Africa’s coronavirus numbers.

“Those are not our cases. I suspect that the couple got tested in SA before travelling to … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

A GROUP of 35 Namibians and residence permit holders were moved from Greiters Conference and Rehabilitation Centre over the weekend due to water supply problems.

The group were instead relocated to Okapuka Lodge and Daan Viljoen Lodge.

The group arrived in the country on 21 March from Europe and were staying at the facility under supervised quarantine for 14 days as part of the government’s precautionary measures against the spread of … Read More

by Werner Menges

THE restrictions on business activities and the free movement of people under the coronavirus outbreak state of emergency apply countrywide, the government says.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister of information, Peya Mushelenga, said most of the state of emergency regulations published in the Government Gazette on Saturday apply countrywide.

This includes regulations forbidding the sale of alcohol until the end of 17 April, and ordering the closure of bars, shebeens, nightclubs and open markets, as well as stopping informal trading, until 18 March.

People not employed in what is regarded as “critical … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

IT was business as usual at the Ongwediva open market when heavily armed police officers, together with officials from the Ongwediva town council, sneaked up on the unsuspecting vendors on Saturday morning.

The police forced the vendors, who were preparing their stalls for business, to stop everything they were doing and closed their stalls without warning.

The seemingly distressed vendors, who looked on as the police closed their stalls, said they were busy laying their stalls while others were preparing cooked meals just as they always do.

However, the police immediately ordered them to close shop and … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjuheue

NAMIBIA has reported its 11th case of a novel coronavirus infection, the health ministry confirmed on Saturday night.

Covid-19 committee focal person Bernard Haufiku confirmed three new cases to The Namibian, but stressed that a statement meant to be sent to the media had been released unethically earlier.

He said the patients were not informed of their positive test results prior to the document being leaked to the public.

In the statement, the health ministry said similar to the first eight cases of a positive test result for the coronacirus, the three new cases were also travel-related.… Read More

by Shinovene Immanuel

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula says Windhoek’s compliance with measures introduced to contain Covid-19 has been “pathetic”.

“I’m very concerned, to say the least,” Shangula told The Namibian on Saturday night.

“I spent the morning up to lunch time in Katutura to see how people complied with the lockdown instructions. It’s pathetic. People think it’s Christmas. They are going around in big groups. It’s really bad,” he said.

Shangula … Read More

by Ndanki Kahuirika

TWENTY-NINE truck drivers who drove from South Africa through Botswana this afternoon are currently under quarantine at various  facilities in Windhoek.

Health executive director Ben Nangombe confirmed to The Namibian this evening that all truck drivers who crossed the borders into Namibia today are under quarantine for 14 days.

He said the drivers have been placed under quarantine at various facilities around Windhoek.

Only those who have to return immediately will be released and are expected to sleep in their trucks tonight.

He said in total, there were more than 60 truck drivers screened enroute to Windhoek … Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

THREE employees of Namibia Wildlife Resorts’ Hobas Lodge in southern Namibia have been told to self-quarantine for 14 days after they came into contact with a French tourist who tested positive for Covid-19.

The lodge, situated near the Fish River Canyon, was put in a lockdown on Friday to safeguard its staff and visitors.

Health ministry officials from the Keetmanshoop area visited the lodge to study the situation and ensure that no staff or visitors contracted the virus.

NWR acting managing director Matthias Ngwangwama said the employees who came into contact with the guest did not show … Read More

by Shinovene Immanuel

HEALTH minister Kalumbi Shangula says the new regulations aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus apply to all the regions across the country.

The government announced strict measures on Friday to contain the spread of the virus, including a ban on alcohol sales and public gatherings of more than ten people and the suspension of non-essential services.

There has been confusion on whether the regulations announced on Friday were only applicable to the Khomas and Erongo regions, where a lockdown including restrictions on the movement of people came into effect at the start of Saturday.

“Namibia … Read More

by Ester Mbathera

ADHERING to the lockdown directive for Khomas and Erongo regions is proving difficult, as it has come at a time when many are receiving their salaries.

Same goes for the World Health Organisation’s advice on how people should behave to avoid exposure to the coronavirus.

Long queues are still being observed at grocery retail shops, banks and street food outlets.

In the township of Kuisebmond at Walvis Bay, the residents are still going about their usual activities. Car wash businesses are operating while owners of … Read More

by Clemans Miyanicwe

THE once-bustling streets of the Khorixas town centre are empty, as most people have stayed home amid coronavirus disease (Covid-19) fears.

When The Namibian visited the town centre at the north-western town, only a handful of people were seen. Street vendors could also be seen awaiting customers for their wares ranging from clothes, spices, cigarettes to vegetables.

A street vendor, who identified herself as Lydia, said the business was slow since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

“It’s very slow; … Read More

by Ndanki Kahuirika

TAXI drivers have been restricted to just three passengers per ride, in an attempt by the Namibian Police to enforce the social distancing rules in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Khomas regional commander, commissioner Joseph Shikongo, said the police have no intention of stopping the transport system, but have rather introduced measures to reduce the number of people that can be transported in a vehicle.

“In a taxi, it should be three. In a car that transports seven [people], it should be four and in a minibus of six, it should … Read More

by Okeri Ngutjinazo

MINISTER of mines and energy Tom Alweendo yesterday announced that during the partial lockdown normal mining operations will be discontinued.

Alweendo, however, pointed out that minimal mining operations and critical maintenance work will be allowed to continue.

“It is a requirement for the employers to ensure that when minimal mining operation is being carried out, other preventative measures, such as social distancing, are observed at all times,” he said.

The minister further said that for the orderly implementation of the announced measures, it is a requirement that all mining and exploration companies inform the ministry in writing … Read More

by Luqman Cloete

Crowd controlling measures were in full force as part of efforts towards curbing the spread of Covid-19 at most retail shops at Keetmanshoop.

The stores only allowed a limited number of customers to enter at any given time to prevent overcrowding in the shops.

Even the giant retail shops only let in an average of 15 customers at a time as part of their measures to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.… Read More

by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

NAMIBIA Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has locked down its Hobas Lodge in southern Namibia, after a tourist who stayed there tested positive for Covid-19.

The French tourist, who is Namibia’s eighth confirmed Covid-19 case, stayed at the lodge near the Fish River Canyon from 17 to 19 March.

Officials from the health ministry’s Keetmanshoop regional office travelled to the lodge to map the way forward, as a way to safeguard NWR staff and guests.

In a statement, acting NWR managing director Matthias Ngwangwama assured staff and guests that NWR was doing everything possible to secure their safety.

“Equally, … Read More

by Nghinomenwa Erastus

THE tabling of the national budget, which was scheduled for the end of this month, has now been delayed till further notice, said the minister of finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, yesterday.

The Namibian Constitution dictates that the ministry of finance presents the country’s expenditure plans and revenue forecast every end of the financial year, which in this case falls on the 31 March.
Shiimi attributed the delay in tabling the national budget to the declaration of a state of emergency on 18 March by the president due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He, however, assured … Read More

by Hileni Nembwaya

TWO people who recently returned to Namibia from Angola are currently under quarantine at Oshikango in the Ohangwena region for a 14-day period.

The two are said to have entered the country a few days ago through the Oshikango border and were placed under quarantine on arrival.

Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, confirmed to The Namibian this evening that one of the individuals is a Namibian national, while the other is a permanent resident … Read More

by Staff reporter

PROACTIVE employee engagements can calm the uncertainty surrounding the information being disseminated on the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

After Namibia reported its first two cases (now at four), the health ministry introduced and implemented stringent measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Capricorn Group human capital group executive Stephanie Viljoen said the general uncertainty as to the impact the pandemic will have on daily lives was prevalent with many left with more questions than answers of how the new normal will be.

“By its very nature, Covid-19 has created a crisis for both … Read More

by Taati Niilenge and Nghinomenwa Erastus

SMALL business owners at Walvis Bay are feeling the pinch of the order from the municipality to close shops, as part of national directives to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Shop owners at the market in front of the old Kuisebmond compound say they understand the fact that the municipality wants to stop the spread of the virus, but their shops are not crowded.

They argue that they are only visited by one or two customers at a time.

According to the business owners, they run businesses like tailoring shops, photocopying stalls, repair shops … Read More

by Nghinomenwa Erastus

PROVIDERS of healthcare and hygiene products, including distributors, pharmacies and supermarkets have hiked prices of essential products in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak hindering the fight against the spread of the pandemic.

The inflated prices have compromised hygiene standards as the … Read More