Under regulation 14(1) and (3) of the State of Emergency-COVID-19 Regulations published under Government Notice No. 9 of 28 March 2020, with the authorisation of the President and the approval of the Attorney-General, I issue the directive set out in the Schedule.P. ShifetaMinister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism
1. Definitions
In these directives -"period of lockdown" means the period from the commencement of this directive until the end of the period of lockdown specified in regulation 3 of the State of Emergency Regulations made by Proclamation No. 9 of 2020.
2. Parks to be closed
All National Parks, Game Parks, and Nature Reserves are to be closed to visitors during the period of lockdown.
3. Accommodation establishments to close
(1)Subject to subdirective (2), tourism accommodation establishments must close during the period of lockdown.(2)If tourists are stranded in accommodation establishments, these establishments may remain open but the guests are encouraged to remain at these establishments to minimize movement until the end of the period of lockdown.(3)The owner or person managing an establishment referred to in subdirective (2) must as soon as possible after the commencement of these directives notify the Ministry responsible for home affairs, immigration, safety and security of the full particulars off all tourists concerned and of the date on which each such tourist intends to depart from Namibia.
4. Tour operators and tour guides to cease activities
All tour operator and tourist guide activities are prohibited during the period of lockdown.
5. Anti-poaching activities
Anti-poaching operations between the Ministry responsible for environment, forestry and tourism matters, Namibian Police Force and the Namibian Defense Force must continue and the relevant personnel are expected to be on full alert.
6. Human wildlife conflict
(1)Response to human wildlife conflict incidences must continue as normal during the period of lockdown.(2)Application, processing and payments of claims as provided for in terms of the Human Wildlife Conflict Self Reliance Scheme will not be processed during the period of lockdown.(3)Communal conservancies are also encouraged to suspend human wildlife conflict-related processing and payments during the period of lockdown.
7. Provision of water to wildlife
The provision of water for wildlife in parks and conservancies must continue during the period of lockdown.
8. Farm inspections to be suspended
All farm inspections by staff of the Ministry responsible for environment, forestry and tourism will be suspended during the period of lockdown.
9. Offences
A person who -(a)contravenes directive 3(1) or fails to comply with directive 3(3); or(b)performs an act prohibited by directive 4,commits an offence and is on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding N$2 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
