Angola, Namibia to reopen border
The Oshikango, Santa Clara and Katwitwi border posts will be reopened as of 1 February, while the remaining border posts are scheduled to be reopened on 15 February.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Namibia and Angola have agreed to reopen the common border between the two countries from the beginning of next month.
The Oshikango, Santa Clara and Katwitwi border posts will be reopened as of 1 February, while the remaining border posts are scheduled to be reopened on 15 February.
This is according to a statement issued by the home affairs ministry, saying the border posts have been closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in reduced trade and significant socio-economic hardship in both countries.
“Travellers crossing the Angola-Namibia border posts are required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test and a vaccination certificate indicating two Covid-19 vaccine doses,” the statement read.
Those who’ve only had one vaccine dose will be subjected to a seven-day quarantine at own cost.
The ministry urged travellers to respect the regulations and laws applicable in the respective countries as well as to continue to observe Covid-19 protocols.
Tourist market
The tourist statistical report for 2020 showed that Angola was one of Namibia’s top 10 tourist markets, with 27 182 Angolans visiting Namibia that year.
The reopening of borders follows a bilateral meeting between the two countries in Angola last week.
The Angolan delegation was led by minister of state and head of the military house of the president, Fransisco Furtarto, while home affairs minister Albert Kawana led the Namibian delegation.
The two delegations reviewed and shared the Covid-19 epidemiological situation in their respective countries and further agreed to enhance vaccination among their populations, especially along the common border.
It was further agreed at the meeting that a joint committee - composed of the Ohangwena, Omusati, Kavango East and Kavango West regions of Namibia as well as the Cunene and Cuando Cubango provinces of Angola - will convene before 31 January to work out the modalities of reopening the border posts.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Namibia and Angola have agreed to reopen the common border between the two countries from the beginning of next month.
The Oshikango, Santa Clara and Katwitwi border posts will be reopened as of 1 February, while the remaining border posts are scheduled to be reopened on 15 February.
This is according to a statement issued by the home affairs ministry, saying the border posts have been closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in reduced trade and significant socio-economic hardship in both countries.
“Travellers crossing the Angola-Namibia border posts are required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test and a vaccination certificate indicating two Covid-19 vaccine doses,” the statement read.
Those who’ve only had one vaccine dose will be subjected to a seven-day quarantine at own cost.
The ministry urged travellers to respect the regulations and laws applicable in the respective countries as well as to continue to observe Covid-19 protocols.
Tourist market
The tourist statistical report for 2020 showed that Angola was one of Namibia’s top 10 tourist markets, with 27 182 Angolans visiting Namibia that year.
The reopening of borders follows a bilateral meeting between the two countries in Angola last week.
The Angolan delegation was led by minister of state and head of the military house of the president, Fransisco Furtarto, while home affairs minister Albert Kawana led the Namibian delegation.
The two delegations reviewed and shared the Covid-19 epidemiological situation in their respective countries and further agreed to enhance vaccination among their populations, especially along the common border.
It was further agreed at the meeting that a joint committee - composed of the Ohangwena, Omusati, Kavango East and Kavango West regions of Namibia as well as the Cunene and Cuando Cubango provinces of Angola - will convene before 31 January to work out the modalities of reopening the border posts.
[email protected]
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