Unvaccinated travellers will be permitted entry into Botswana, as long as they show a negative Covid test result. This is in contrast from last month when partially or non-vaccinated visitors were denied entry into the country.

According to Botswana Ministry of Health spokesperson, Christopher Nyanga, the decision to allow unvaccinated travellers into the country was designed to ensure smooth entry for visitors.

“I wish to indicate that these changes now allow partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people to enter the country, if they comply with the required testing requirements,” he said. “It is only when one is not fully vaccinated and is also not willing to undergo COVID-19 testing at the port of entry, that they will be charged and fined or taken to a court of law.”

Nyanga added that the confusion over the vaccine validity period was taken into account when scrapping the vaccine mandate. In Botswana, the validity period is 180 days, whereas in Europe the same vaccines are valid for 270 days.

“Due to discordant periods for taking booster shots between Botswana and other countries, and for purposes of smoothening international travel, the definition of being fully vaccinated in Botswana will no longer include a booster shot. Having completed the primary vaccine series will be considered sufficient for one to be allowed entry, without the need to present a negative PCR test result,” he continued.

According to Cindy Kelemi, director of the human rights organisation Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV-AIDS, the government’s decision is welcome: “We have always maintained that the response to COVID-19 does not necessarily require for criminalisation to be used as a strategy. And not allowing entry to those who are not vaccinated is actually a violation of people’s rights. Therefore, it was only reasonable for the government to retract its previous guidelines and remove the barring of people who are not vaccinated, into Botswana."

Over 71% of Botswana’s adult population have been vaccinated, say authorities, one of the highest vaccination rates on the continent.