NACOSEC dismisses third lockdown rumours

MAMELLO SEBATANE

Maseru – The government’s more stringent policy on movement into and out of the country in the run-up to the Easter holidays seems to have paid dividends in curbing the spread of Covid-19 compared to the Christmas season.

This followed a recommendation from Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro last week that Basotho resident outside Lesotho should avoid coming back home for the Easter holidays unless they are obliged to.

NACOSEC’s risk communications manager Baroane Phinithi said today that this achievement is owed to Basotho because of their co-operation during the annual holiday.

“Basotho listened and they did as requested. Almost 80 percent of them who crossed into the country during this recent Easter holiday had already tested for Covid-19 because they were able to produce their certificates at the border,” he said.

He added that at least 13 people tested Covid-19 positive from all legal ports of entry into Lesotho.

Asked about rumours of a possible lockdown owing to the anticipated third wave of Covid-19, Phinithi said Lesotho’s Covid-19 status remains controllable despite the upcoming winter season and possible third wave of infections, therefore there is currently no reason to impose a national lockdown as yet.