After quiet Black Friday, public again cautioned as borders open
Botswana experienced a peaceful Black Friday last week.
It was an unusual turnout as the day is often marked by long queues with shoppers fighting for discounted goods. Officer Commanding Police District No 3 Theriso Thatayotlhe told this publication that Gaborone and surrounding areas had nothing notable to complain about on the day.
Police officers who were on the ground and closely monitoring the situation on the day were impressed that not many had gone out to crowd in shops. This was a relief compared to the ugly scenes of stampedes that took place last year.
“We normally get alarmed or alerted by the build- up of long queues on Thursday night proving that shoppers intend to spend the night waiting for stores to open doors. This time around there was nothing like that,” he said.
He applauded Gaborone residents for acting on the advice of Health authorities. He said that popular stores such as Game, Eureka, Fours Cash and Carry and Sefalana usually see a huge turnout of customers at their premises, but not this year.
Long queues were only spotted in Riverwalk Mall. However, all Covid-19 protocols were observed and adhered to, Thatayotlhe said. Other factors for the peaceful conduct was that most shops resorted to running their Black Friday promotions for extended periods of three to four days whilst other stores decided not to have the Black Friday special altogether. When giving his weekly updates on the Covid-19 situation this past Tuesday, the Coordinator of the Presidential Covid-19 task force team Kereng Masupu said positive cases continue to rise on a daily basis. The numbers have increased to a high of over 9 000 with infection rate cutting across all age groups.
He expressed concern that some Batswana continue to ignore the laid out safety and prevention protocols. “As borders open this
Tuesday, we call for all to take responsibility for their health, opening borders poses a risk that might wipe off all efforts meant to control the spread of the Corona virus locally but it can also be manageable if those travelling adhere to set guidelines and rules,” he said.
The government recently decided on a phased lifting of international travel restrictions following total shutdown in April. Air travel resumed at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Kasane and Maun on the 9th of November while ground crossing resumed at the commercial border points of Tlokweng, Mamuno, Martins Drift and Kazungula ferry and road among others this past Tuesday.
Me anwh i l e , despite the re-opening of borders, Masupu and team have advised that Batswana brace themselves for a different festive season. Urging the nation to refrain from unnecessary travel but rather send money home to parents and loved ones.