Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache has ruled out the resumption of lockdown in the wake of the Omicron  Covid-19 variant.
This, as the government enhances stringent measures, including intensified checks at the country’s entry points, scaling up vaccination drives and observance of prevention measures.
Speaking after receiving 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China at JKIA today, Ms Mochahche said the government was adopting precautionary measures to ensure the new variant of Covid-19 did not interrupt the economy, especially tourism that picks in December.
The new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which was first reported in South Africa on 24 November 2021, has created concern in the country, and globally after the World Health Organisation warned of "increased risk of re-infection with this variant as compared to others."
"Because of the variant, many countries have taken restrictions, but at the end of the day, we must continue to ensure we operate in an environment that allows trade to continue without economic depression because of Covid-19, Families must continue to interact and people must continue to move," said Mochache.
Cases of Omicron- which has at least 32 documented mutations- have also been detected in Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.