Tourism anxious about new measures

OGONE TLHAGE WINDHOEKThe tourism sector is waiting with baited breath for clarity on the new regulations government has rolled out to stem the rise in Covid-19 cases.President Hage Geingob on Tuesday evening announced amended regulations which included limiting travel into and out of the local authority areas of Windhoek, Rehoboth and Okahandja.Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) CEO Gitta Paetzold said the sector had asked for clarity in light of the new regulations. “It is a concern for us,” she said.Commenting on Namibia’s classification as a high-risk travel destination by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Koch Institute, Paetzold said Namibia could still be described as a safe travel destination because of its wide-open spaces.“Our tourism products cannot be compared because of the open spaces. Despite the fact that the cases are high, our environment is less of a risk. People still feel that Nambia is a safe environment,” she said. Huge blowNamibia Tourism Board (NTB) CEO Digu //Naobeb earlier this week said the country’s classification as high-risk was a huge blow.“It is a disastrous setback for the tourism industry and indeed for Namibia whose economy is inextricably linked to the greater tourism landscape. The cumulative long-term impact will be loss of income, foreign currency, jobs and more depressed businesses that may be well forced to close shop,” he said.Windhoek had recently been deemed as Namibia’s Covid-19 epicentre, having recorded 52% of the total cases across the country.“To contain the further spread of the disease, exit and entry into the Windhoek-Okahandja-Rehoboth local authority areas is restricted,” Geingob announced. This is in exception of returning residents, essential service providers in possession of the relevant permit, emergency medical cases and the transportation of human remains to other regions for burial purposes, the president said.

Tourism anxious about new measures

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-30

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Tourism anxious about new measures

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-30

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