Botswana extends curfew as new COVID-19 strain detected

By XINHUA

A teacher checks the body temperature of a student before she goes to the classroom in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, June 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Tshekiso Tebalo)

Botswana announced on Sunday an extension of nighttime curfew up to Jan. 31 following the emergence of a new and more transmissible strain of COVID-19.

Minister of Health and Wellness Edwin Dikoloti made the announcement through national television, saying the curfew, enacted by the president on Dec. 23, will continue to be enforced between 20:00 and 04:00 (1800-0200 GMT) daily.

Virus-related risks have increased in Botswana according to evidence submitted by the director of health services, the minister said, stressing that curfew is effective to curb rising coronavirus infections.

Dikoloti that rising COVID-19 cases during the Christmas and New Year holidays showed that people have not been strictly abiding by the set regulations to prevent the spreading of the virus.