THE announcement of a partial lockdown for Khomas and Erongo regions for 21 days, which would restrict movement to only allow essential services to operate during that time, has confused many.
President Geingob on Tuesday announced the lockdown, to enable Namibia to minimise the spread of Covid-19 that has so far reported eight positive cases,.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said as part of the lockdown, only essential services would operate and people should only leave their homes if it is an absolute necessity.
Yesterday, the labour ministry’s executive director, Bro-Matthew Shinguandja, clarified what is constituted as an essential service in terms of section 77 (4) of the Labour Act, 2007 (Act No. 11 of 2007).
He told that essential services are determined in terms of the Labour Act on application and recommendation of the Tripartite Labour Advisory Council. Shinguandja said while the media do not necessarily form part of essential services, they are considered part of ‘critical services’.
He said for consideration to be given for the media to operate, they would have to apply for such.
“None of the media houses applied for media to be declared as such. There is a procedure required and criteria to be met before and declaration is gazetted. However, many people are confusing the essential services and “critical services” that can be regulated under the State of Emergency in terms of the Constitution,” he said.
Information and communications minister Peya Mushelenga however, told The Namibian on Wednesday that the media is an important stakeholder in information dissemination on the Covid-19 pandemic and thus media houses will be able to transport their newspapers countrywide despite the planned lockdown.
1. Ambulance services
2. Casualties services
3. Theatre
4. Intensive Care Unit services
5. Hospital wards
6. Laboratory services
7. Pharmaceutical services
8. Dental services
9. Radiography services
10. Physiotherapy services
11. Mortuary services
12. Medical services, including Specialised services
13. Hospital Kitchen services
14. Hospital laundry services
15. Emergency management services
16. Disaster management services
17. Portable water services
19. Scientific services
20. Electricity distribution services
21. Electricity operation services
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