Long queues form outside DC’s offices in Gaborone as citizens apply for permits

Some Batswana are still not keeping social distancing when queuing for services. 

This is despite the fact that as a way of containing the COVID -19 virus government declared the State of Emergency which is on its first day where citizens must either stay indoors as a way of observing extreme distance or in the event that they go out to get any service then all must keep a social distance of at least one (1) metre apart from each other. 

This was not the case when BG Online visited the District Commisssioner‘s office  in the village suburb of Gaborone where individuals  are currently queuing up in order to apply for different permits that will permit them to either provide essential services or go onto the streets instead of keeping extreme distance.

What perhaps frustrated and made them not to observe the social distance is that there was a drizzle which forced those in long queues to seek shelter along the boundary wall or nearest trees. 

Secondly the queue was moving at a snail’s pace. Speaking to BG Online, Gaboronre District Commissioner Grace Seitshiro said her office is doing the best under the circumstances to adhere to the law governing the issuing of permits.

“We look at individual cases and treat them with their own merits in accordance with the statutes issued last night,” said Seitshiro.