Hasty U-turn on traveller entry requirements
A potential nightmare tourism scenario stopped in its tracks
Following an outcry and warnings of the negative impact it would have on Namibia's tourism industry, a decision was made over the weekend to amend regulations for incoming tourists, allowing unvaccinated travellers to present a PCR test at the ports of entry.
An amended gazette related to Covid-19 regulations was hastily prepared and issued on Saturday after the tourism industry raised serious concerns about its impact on the tourism industry, following President Hage Geingob’s announcement on Friday that only vaccinated tourists would be allowed to enter Namibia.
On Friday the president announced that the new Covid-19 health measures stipulated that foreign travellers must present vaccination certificates when entering Namibia.
The Government Gazette, issued on the following Saturday morning, confirmed this decision, stating “that a person who is not a Namibian citizen, does not hold a permanent residence permit for Namibia; or is not domiciled in Namibia or otherwise lawfully resident in Namibia; may enter, subject to the Immigration Control Act and the presentation of a valid vaccination certificate, if they are eligible to be vaccinated- showing that the persons concerned are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.”
The tourism industry immediately expressed concern over these new regulations with regards to cancellations the industry would face, because the option of a negative PCR test was not included.
By Saturday morning, the tourism ministry issued a brief statement.
“We appeal to the industry to be patient... we are consulting with the relevant ministries and believe that there has been an oversight,” tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, told Namibian Sun.
Nightmare
Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) CEO Gitta Paetzold said that as it stood it was a nightmare.
“We are doing serious lobbying work in the hope of allowing PCR tests in addition, otherwise Namibia will become the country with some of the strictest measures, something we cannot afford at all. This morning (Saturday) we have already seen cancellations in one group, 20 people, three not vaccinated, the whole group cancels. Value N$ 4.5 million.”
She said the decision was likely taken without consultations.
“They feel it is a way to secure Namibia because we no longer have the resources to fight Covid otherwise ... to me it is illogical and counterproductive, as it results in a loss of income, loss of jobs and more poverty will be the result.”
Founder and owner at Namibia Travel and Tourism Forum, Nrupesh Soni, said mandatory vaccinations would be extremely detrimental to Namibia, because there are almost 120 countries who do not require it anymore.
“South Africa has completely opened up, we have basically locked ourselves in with this mandatory requirement and put the industry in a position where they don't have answers for their clients, some of whom have a trip to Victoria falls and back, but they cannot enter Namibia now and return the vehicles or fly out. We are impacting a N$19 billion sector by limiting the entry. We do not have any stats to enforce this decision.”
Reverse
By late Saturday afternoon Muyunda said that according to discussions between the two ministers (health and tourism), non-vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Namibia with a negative PCR test.
“Senior technical officials between the two ministries are engaging to have this in writing or included in the gazette.”
A new amended gazette was issued just after 17:00 on Saturday in which the stipulation was amended and rectified.
WELCOME: Travellers to Namibia will be allowed to enter with a negative PCR test. Photo: Kenneth Nependa
On Friday the president announced that the new Covid-19 health measures stipulated that foreign travellers must present vaccination certificates when entering Namibia.
The Government Gazette, issued on the following Saturday morning, confirmed this decision, stating “that a person who is not a Namibian citizen, does not hold a permanent residence permit for Namibia; or is not domiciled in Namibia or otherwise lawfully resident in Namibia; may enter, subject to the Immigration Control Act and the presentation of a valid vaccination certificate, if they are eligible to be vaccinated- showing that the persons concerned are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.”
The tourism industry immediately expressed concern over these new regulations with regards to cancellations the industry would face, because the option of a negative PCR test was not included.
By Saturday morning, the tourism ministry issued a brief statement.
“We appeal to the industry to be patient... we are consulting with the relevant ministries and believe that there has been an oversight,” tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, told Namibian Sun.
Nightmare
Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) CEO Gitta Paetzold said that as it stood it was a nightmare.
“We are doing serious lobbying work in the hope of allowing PCR tests in addition, otherwise Namibia will become the country with some of the strictest measures, something we cannot afford at all. This morning (Saturday) we have already seen cancellations in one group, 20 people, three not vaccinated, the whole group cancels. Value N$ 4.5 million.”
She said the decision was likely taken without consultations.
“They feel it is a way to secure Namibia because we no longer have the resources to fight Covid otherwise ... to me it is illogical and counterproductive, as it results in a loss of income, loss of jobs and more poverty will be the result.”
Founder and owner at Namibia Travel and Tourism Forum, Nrupesh Soni, said mandatory vaccinations would be extremely detrimental to Namibia, because there are almost 120 countries who do not require it anymore.
“South Africa has completely opened up, we have basically locked ourselves in with this mandatory requirement and put the industry in a position where they don't have answers for their clients, some of whom have a trip to Victoria falls and back, but they cannot enter Namibia now and return the vehicles or fly out. We are impacting a N$19 billion sector by limiting the entry. We do not have any stats to enforce this decision.”
Reverse
By late Saturday afternoon Muyunda said that according to discussions between the two ministers (health and tourism), non-vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Namibia with a negative PCR test.
“Senior technical officials between the two ministries are engaging to have this in writing or included in the gazette.”
A new amended gazette was issued just after 17:00 on Saturday in which the stipulation was amended and rectified.
WELCOME: Travellers to Namibia will be allowed to enter with a negative PCR test. Photo: Kenneth Nependa
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