Botswana to access Covid-19 vaccine
Botswana is part of the 156 countries that have joined the COVAX facility which will allow members for access to COVID-19 vaccine once given the green light by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Member of Parliament for Kanye North Thapelo Letsholo requested this week that government makes an undertaking to avail free COVID-19 vaccine for all Batswana once it becomes available. Out of about the 193 countries in the world, 156 that have so far joined the COVAX facility.
“We need to take a more aggressive stance and be in the top 10 percent of countries with guaranteed vaccine for each member for our 2.5 million population,” he said. He argued that the value of the damage to the economy and businesses coupled with the number of people who will lose their jobs post the SOE far supersedes a decision to provide vaccine to all members of the population.
“This is the one sacrifice that Batswana will appreciate; we must provide assurance and commitment on the procurement of the vaccine, instead of just securing the opportunity of access. We have heard the sentiment that more businesses are going to die in Botswana than people, as a result of COVID-19.”
Currently, 34 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. He said the country may not have specific numbers of the carnage dealt to businesses as a result of the pandemic but that far more than 31 businesses have died.
In his view, the Investment, Trade and Industry ministry should appraise Parliament of the number of companies that have gone into liquidation since the start of COVID-19.
He said in his constituency, a number of businesses owned by young indigenous Batswana have closed down, including, Khaki Botswana, a toilet rentals company, Mareledi bar, Embassy bar and restaurant, and many events management companies.
While some of the businesses are small individually, the collective social and economic impact of their failures is substantial.
Letsholo said there is an opportunity to bolster initiatives that government is already implementing to support businesses by enabling the continued operation of high potential businesses that are otherwise dying due to non-conducive conditions of trade imposed by COVID-19 as most of these businesses are facing liquidation if they have not yet been forced to close their doors.