Botswana lifts coronavirus lockdown, reopens schools

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) - Botswana has lifted coronavirus lockdown and announced the reopening of schools in the capital Gaborone, according to a government statement.

''All completing classes (standard 7, form 3, and form 5) in public schools within the Greater Gaborone zone" will resume on June 17, Private schools will make their own arrangements on school reopening,'' the statement said late Monday.

It said the pre-primary classes will open on Aug. 4 as initially scheduled.

Non completing classes in government schools are scheduled to open on June 22, it added.

In a televised address on Monday night the Director of Health Services Dr. Malaki Tshipayagae said lifting the lockdown was based on an evidence that the risks posed by COVID-19 in the zone had decreased, Daily News reported.

Tshipayagae urged the people to continue to observe precautionary measures aimed at curbing spread of the pandemic and avoiding risks during social activities.

The southern African country has so far confirmed 60 coronavirus cases, with one death and 24 recoveries, according to government figures.