Corona and Democracy - Namibia

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy

• There is a partial lock-down, dated until May 4. This means borders are closed, mining is suspended, but informal trading is still allowed and markets are open but have stricter rules for hygiene, social distancing and the number of people who are allowed to enter.
• The lockdown was scheduled for March 27 until April 16 firstly but after a re-evaluation it is in charge until May 4.
• Schools are closed, religious gatherings, big weddings, funerals or uniformed parades are forbidden.

   5 May:

• The government announced the partial easing of restrictions (domestic travel is allowed as open of businesses).

   15 May:

• Authorities announced that the air traffic will remain suspended in Namibia at least until 30 June.

28 May:

• Namibia will further ease coronavirus lockdown regulations, however, the harbor town of Walvis Bay will be put under more stringent restrictions due to new cases in the city.

31 May:

• Namibia has shut down the airport of Walvis Bay, due to new coronavirus cases

6 July:

• Additional lockdown measures were introduced in a number of regions due to the resurgence of COVID-19

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-namibia/namibia-extends-partial-coronavirus-lockdown-until-may-4-idUSKCN21W2SC
• https://www.namibian.com.na/89437/read/Parliament-blesses-state-of-emergency
• http://www.mhss.gov.na/documents/119527/775870/Statement+at+the+declaration+of+country-wide+lockdown+bis.pdf.pdf/aaa24c73-8f13-400b-8ba7-e417b9937ee4
• https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/337911/namibia-government-to-ease-covid-19-restrictions-from-may-5-update-3
• https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/342696/namibia-authorities-extend-suspension-of-air-traffic-until-june-30-update-5
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-namibia/with-no-deaths-namibia-to-further-ease-coronavirus-lockdown-idUSKBN2342YU
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-namibia/namibia-shuts-harbour-town-airport-after-two-coronavirus-infections-idUSKBN2370PC
• http://gov.na/documents/10181/985403/Statement+by+President+Hage+G.+Geingob+Additional+Measures%2C+Erongo+Region%2C+06+July+2020.pdf/c663c303-11e5-4707-8f2f-21da907d4d6f

• Local elections might be disrupted but it is not clear yet. The elections are scheduled for November 2020.

15 May:

• The president has reduced the size of the cabinet as well as the number of special advisors tot eh country, in an effort to cut costs.

• https://atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/africasource/african-elections-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-namibia/namibian-president-cuts-ministers-perks-in-coronavirus-fight-idUSKBN22R30B

   18 March:

• the government proclaimed the state of emergency.

   28 March:

• The regulations under the state of emergency among other provisions impose a two-week nationwide "lockdown" from March 27, with restrictions on individual movement. The regulations also prohibit gatherings of 10 or more people and provide that anyone who violates the prohibition is subject to a penalty of six months in prison and a N$2,000 fine.

•  https://www.lac.org.na/laws/2020/7159.pdf