Nampol to disband crowds of more than 50 to combat the spread of COVID-19

With members of the public still reluctant and not sticking to restrictions made on gathering of more than fifty people, the Namibian Police (NamPol) will have to introduce strict measures to impose the dispersing of crowds as a degree to contain the further spread of the coronavirus.

Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, issued an official statement and following the implementation of the State of Emergency declared by President Hage Geingob on 17 March in respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the police has noted that members of the public are not adhering to the suggested measures and as such, the Nampol will be taking actions.
It has come to the attention of NamPol that people continue to overcrowd in public places, such as synagogues or churches, restaurants, bars, shebeens as usual, even where the space is limited and thereby ignoring the potential risks of contracting and spreading this Virus. A similar situation has also been noted at open markets and stalls where vendors display and sell their goods under very unhygienic condition,” Ndeitunga bemoaned.
Ndeitunga pleaded to the public to take COVID-19 as a serious threat to the safety and security of Namibia and said NamPol will not shilly-shally to introduce strong measures to enforce the dispersal of crowds at congested places. Therefore members of the public must abstain from overcrowding at business premises, places of worship, events and entertainment areas.
“Should the need for gathering arise, this must be done within the limits of required space and the number must not be more than 50 people at a given time,” Ndeitunga stressed.
Owners of restaurants, shebeens, bars and bottle stores are advised to ensure that their clienteles take their food and alcoholic beverages to their own dwellings and avoid gatherings at drinking outlets. Ndeitunga further said that no contact with inmates will be permitted and that any items brought to inmates will be subjected to a comprehensive search and identification of the possessor. “We are appealing to the public to observe these measures and assist the law enforcement agents to carry out their duties without risking their safety and the safety and security of our nation.

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