A recent statement by a Botswana government official noting that Botswana was imposing a Coronavirus Quarantine on arriving tourists from Coronavirus affected countries has been retracted.

On March 6, 2020 a memo authored by the Botswana Director of Health Services, Dr Malaika Tshipayagae and addressed to the organization that represents the interests of tour operators noted that “all travellers will be subjected to a mandatory self-quarantine upon arrival at points of entry”. Tshipayagae  informed the Hospitality Tourism and Association of Botswana that “following the latest Word Health Organization (WHO) on international travel and as per the Public Health Act(2013) in control of communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has taken a decision to enforce mandatory self-quarantining of all arriving travelers from from affected countries for a period of 14 consecutive days.” He added that the mandatory self-quarantines would be done at the travellers’ residence.  “Please note that this would be monitored by the Ministry of Health and Wellness officers in their respective districts. Those who are here as tourists will be quarantined at their place of residence (hotels, guest houses, lodges, Inns etc)”, said Tshipayagae.

On March 7, 2020 Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness issued the below statement retracting its statement: