This archive report was first published on 14 July 2021.
Botswana has become the latest African nation to grapple with a severe Covid-19 outbreak, with schools closing for a month to contain the spread of the virus.
As of Monday, the country had recorded 80,153 confirmed cases and 1,253 deaths, with active cases reaching an all-time high of 8,970 and an average of over 1,000 daily cases in the past three days.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced the closure of schools in a national address on Tuesday, stating that they would remain shut until August 16. The decision comes as the country faces a dire situation of rapidly rising cases and inadequate vaccines.
Stakeholders have been calling for the closure of schools following the death of at least 64 teachers by the end of last week. The government has prioritized vaccinating teachers during the closure, as the virus has been widespread in learning institutions.
Botswana is facing a challenge of vaccine shortage, like many other African countries. Despite the uncertain availability of vaccines, the government remains hopeful that all eligible individuals will be vaccinated by the end of 2022.
President Masisi also warned that Covid-19 has severely battered the country's economy, with no sign of a quick recovery. He urged residents to remain vigilant and do their best to contain the spread of the virus.
