This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. Close

Africa Legal

Africa Legal

  • NEWS
  • JOBS
  • COURSES
  • CLIENTS
    • Sign in
    • Sign up
  • NEWS
  • COURSES
  • JOBS
    • Sign In
    • Sign Up
  • News
  • Courses
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Business A-Z
  • Post a job
  • Contact Us
  • Clients
CLIENT SIGN IN
Country
  • Uganda
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon
  • United Kingdom
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Ghana
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia
  • Botswana
  • Morocco
  • Zimbabwe
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Sudan
  • Rwanda
  • Ethiopia
  • Angola
  • Egypt
  • Togo
  • Mali
  • South Sudan
  • Swaziland
  • Senegal
  • Malawi
  • France
  • Guinea
  • Middle East
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Gambia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Germany
Category
  • Profiles
  • Analysis & Opinion
  • Career advice
  • In-house
  • Latest news
  • Press releases
  • Africa Legal Blog
  • Women in Law
  • Innovation
  • Human Rights
Practice area
  • Agriculture
  • Arbitration
  • Aviation
  • Banking and Finance
  • Capital markets
  • Charties and pro bono
  • Company commercial
  • Competition and antitrust
  • Construction and engineering
  • Consumer products
  • Corporate finance and M&A
  • Criminal
  • Education
  • Employment and benefits
  • Energy and natural resources
  • Environmental
  • Financial services
  • Fraud & white collar crime
  • Funds
  • Governance | risk and compliance
  • Government and public sector
  • Health and safety
  • Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
  • Insurance/Reinsurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Logistics and transportation
  • Manufacturing and Industrial
  • Private client and family
  • Private equity
  • Projects and infrastructure
  • Real estate
  • Regulatory
  • Restructuring | insolvency and debt recovery
  • Shipping and maritime
  • Taxation
  • Technology media and telecoms
  • Travel and tourism
close

Registration

Registered Successfully!!!. We have sent you a confirmation email to your email address.
close


View My Saved News


close You must login to save your news
  • LOGIN
  • NEW USER

Login to your account

Forgotten your password?
or

Create an Account

close


View My Saved News


« Back

Botswana feels impact of Covid laws

Edward William Fashole-Luke II, managing partner of Luke and Associates in Botswana, reflects on the impact of hard-hitting Covid-19 emergency legislation on the southern African nation.

May 06, 2020
Edward William Fashole-Luke II
Share

In the midst of these very trying and unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not surprising that Botswana’s government has followed several nations in passing sweeping and far reaching emergency regulations and legislation for the public and private sector to deal with this pandemic. 

One such piece of legislation is the Emergency Powers Act (Covid-19 Regulations ) which came into force on April 2.

The aforesaid Act imposes a 24-hour daily curfew stating that all businesses and offices may only continue their business operations by allowing their employees to work remotely from home by virtual means. This measure has been effective in promoting social distancing in Botswana's essential services business operations, while preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread of the virus. 

Moreover, where businesses are not able to have employees working virtually from home, then those businesses are expected to cease operations as per the government declaration of a lockdown with effect from midnight on April 2 to April 30. In addition, a State of Emergency has now been extended to six months. Similarly, all religious and educational places of worship and instruction shall remain closed and any activities therein should be by electronic or virtual means.

The Botswana Government has also banned the selling of alcohol during the six months State of Emergency. It was reported that the county has had the lowest road accident rate ever during the Easter holiday season.

In currently advising clients as to whether there will be claims when the pandemic is over is not entirely clear. However, I would suggest that it would be wise to be prepared and that clients should have all their records in order especially regarding complex projects. 

The Roman general Vegetius said, "Si vis pacem, para bellum" which means “If you want peace, prepare for war”. I suggest that we must also communicate with our counterparts to determine if solutions can be found now for anticipated problems in the future. 

The courts are also affected by the emergency regulations and deal only with urgent matters. The lockdown does seem to have contained the number of new infections. Several European countries citizens, including those from the United Kingdom, are banned from entry into Botswana for the next six months. This will have a very negative impact on our economy as tourism is one of the major sources of revenue for the country. Japan, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, and the UK have citizens that patronize our famous safari parks. The impact of this will be terrible.

 

To join Africa Legal's mailing list please click here 



Copyright : Re-publication of this article is authorised only in the following circumstances; the writer and Africa Legal are both recognised as the author and the website address www.africa-legal.com and original article link are back linked. A bio for the writer can be provided on request.

RELATED CATEGORY NEWS

Niche firms with elephant-sized impact Read more
Custodians of risk and reward Read more
An insightful look at competition, tra Read more

RELATED COUNTRY NEWS

Alliott Global Alliance expands to Bot Read more
Botswana’s Spy Law Meets Brick Wall Read more
Same-Sex Relations Not Criminal Read more
Africa Legal
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy and cookies policy
Members
  • Find a job
  • Take a course
  • Read news
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cancellations and refunds
Clients
  • Terms and conditions
  • Post a job
  • Host a course
  • Advertise
  • Share news
Connect with us
© Copyright 2023 | Africa Legal. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy