Mandatory vaccination enforced to cross Namibia-Angola borders

KENYA KAMBOWE SARASUNGUThis week’s announcement by Namibian and Angolan authorities that no unvaccinated persons would be allowed to cross the common border has left local communities, the majority of whom are destitute, devastated.The Namibia-Angola borders have been closed for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Citizens of both countries must present a vaccination card indicating receiving two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, a national document and a negative PCR test in order to enter either country.Those with only one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine be required to quarantine in the host country for a period of seven days at their own cost. A PCR test is said to cost in the range of N$700.These new regulations have not been well received by some community members who told Namibian Sun they will not be able to afford PCR tests, citing the economic situation in the region.“We go to Angola to buy stock of the things we want to sell back here, but now for one to fork out N$1 500 for these tests on top of the logistics, it’s just too much. It is a known fact that the people from Angola are poorer,” a local resident remarked.The source further argued that while Namibia does not force its residents to get vaccinated, it will be a difficult choice to make for those who are not vaccinated but want to visit family across the border.“We have relatives in Angola and we could not see them for the past two years. Now we have to get vaccinated by force if we want to go see them, which defeats the purpose of telling people that you will not be forced to get vaccinated.”Don’t cross illegallySpeaking at the official opening of the Sarasungu border post, Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo called upon citizens of both countries to comply with the measures put in place to fight the pandemic.He said people should not try to take the route of illegal crossing into either country as law enforcement agencies will deal with the culprits.At the border, Namibian Sun came across a woman who was informed about the opening of the borders, however, she was not allowed to cross into Angola because she was not in possession of a negative PCR test result.Meanwhile, the opening of the border demonstrated how depended Angolan counterparts are on the town of Rundu.Angolan citizens could not contain their joy and as they were allowed to enter into Namibia for a limited period of time, they rushed into the townships to see family and friends they could not visit for the past two years.Angolan nationals from the southern part of that country also heavily depend on healthcare facilities in Rundu as well as the market force as they often sell goods in the riverside town.kenya@namibiansun.com

Mandatory vaccination enforced to cross Namibia-Angola borders

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Mandatory vaccination enforced to cross Namibia-Angola borders

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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