Botswana saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Lockdowns were implemented between March and May, and restrictions continued throughout the year. The previous year's general election was disputed by the opposition, and several cases were filed to overturn the results. Tensions rose with South Africa in 2020 as Botswana sought the prosecution of Bridgette Radebe. Concerns regarding wildlife conservation increased in 2020 as elephants began dying off in large numbers, as well as similar concerns about vultures. Armed conflicts with poachers continued throughout the year, including the killing of four men in November that caused protests in Namibia.

2020
in
Botswana

Decades:
See also:

Incumbents

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Ongoing

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Events

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January

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February

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March

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  • 16 March – The Botswana Football Association suspends its league in response to COVID-19.[14]
  • 20 March – All schools are closed due to worries of the spread of COVID-19.[15]
  • 23 March – Botswana closes its borders following the first COVID-19 fatality in neighbouring Zimbabwe.[16]
  • 25 March– A 78-year-old woman who was suspected of having COVID-19 died in Ramotswa. A few days after her death, the results came back positive making it the fourth case and first death of COVID-19 in the country.[17]
  • 26 March – The government of Botswana establishes a COVID-19 relief fund.[18]
  • 30 March –
    • The first three cases of COVID-19 in the country are confirmed. Health Minister Lemogang Kwape says the three patients are in quarantine and had recently travelled to Britain and Thailand.[19]
    • President Masisi declares a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]

April

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  • April – Botswana evacuates its black rhinoceros population from the Okavango Delta amid increased poaching and flooding.[21]
  • 1 April – Botswana Power Corporation raises electricity tariffs by 22 percent.[22]
  • 9 April – President Masisi and the entire Parliament of Botswana go into quarantine after the nurse testing them for COVID-19 is confirmed to have COVID-19.[23]
  • 16 April – President Masisi pardons 149 prisoners to prevent prison overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]
  • 27 April – President Masisi extends the national lockdown from May 1 to May 7.[25]
  • 30 April – The Bank of Botswana reduces interest rates and capital ratios in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]
  • 15 May – The Confederation of African Football determines that Botswana's failure to attend a 2020 U17 Women's World Cup match in Morocco due to COVID-19 was permissible.[27]
  • 20 May – Botswana's COVID-19 lockdown ends.[28]

June

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  • June –
    • Fuel shortages caused by import delays and panic buying prompt Botswana to use its strategic fuel reserve.[29]
    • Botswana grants its first generation licenses to Independent Power Producers to authorise the construction of power plants.[30]
    • Botswana begins dehorning its rhinoceros population to discourage poaching.[31]
    • The Botswana government hires AfriForum to prosecute Bridgette Radebe for money laundering. She sues in response for false allegations.[32]
  • 2 June – Schools reopen after 74 days of closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.[15]
  • 4 June – Bishop Frank Nubuasah delivers a written eulogy for George Floyd, whom he had befriended in the 1990s.[33]
  • 13 June – Gaborone returns to lockdown after reports of COVID-19 cases.[34]
  • 15 June – Gaborone ends its lockdown after suspected COVID-19 cases are found to be negative.[34]

July

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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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  • 11 December – Botswana begins an initiative to produce citrus plants.[67]

Deaths

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References

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