15th October 2020
Own Correspondent
Employees at Naledi Motors are increasingly worried about their exposure to COVID transmission after the parts manager was reported positive on Monday with COVID-19 after suffering ill health over the weekend.
However until now there have been no efforts by health authorities to conduct required contact tracing almost a week after results were released or to isolate individuals who may have come into contact with infected person long after tests showed they are suffering from COVID-19. h
The Dealer principal at Naledi Motors is also allegedly showing signs of COVID-19 infection. The business is owned by motor magnate Satar Dada, a close political ally of President Mokgweetsi Masisi and fears are growing that his political networks may be causing health authorities to treat him with ‘kids gloves.’
Health officials appear unable to explain why contact tracing has not been done. They appear content to quote laid down policies and regulations, refusing to accept responsibility for the flagrant disregard of efforts to contain an epidemic that is spreading like ‘wildfire’ in the greater Gaborone region.
“The procedure is that when someone tests positive than contact tracing has to be conducted as early as possible. If anyone tests positive they have to be isolated and those who are negative continue with their jobs. Where there is a positive case the area needs to be disinfected,” said Doreen Motshegwa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
She said, “If we do not do contact tracing than we as a system have failed.”
Motshegwa maintained that existing efforts to contain COVID-19 in Botswana are based on identifying and quarantining those suspected to have been exposed to covid-19 as well as early linkage to care and management to cut local transmission, thereby closing down the chain of transmission.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness revealed that in line with these efforts current regulations stipulate the need for regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently used surfaces(tables, door handles etc), wearing of masks, social distancing and strict hand hygiene.
Therefore there is no need for building closures when there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, as organizations are required to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations. If there is a COVID-19 case in an organization, only the positive individual and their close contacts are to be isolated or quarantined as may be determined by the relevant Regional Health Management Team(RHMT).
Naledi Motors management appear unfazed by possibility of accelerated transmission among their employees in an environment almost a week later it is business as usual with no visits from health authorities and no existing efforts to disinfect building pending visit from officials.
Riaz Arbi, Franchise Director for Naledi Motors, said “Over the weekend an employee reported ill. We told him to test and on Monday his results were returned positive for Covid-19. We have informed health authorities to enable contact tracing and await council to disinfect building.”
He said, “We are following COVID-19 rules. There is no way around them.”
