The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France have suspended travel from Namibia to curb the spread of Covid-19.
However, those in transit and cargo flights would be exempted from the ban.
“It is in the right of those countries that have classified us as high-risk areas to do as such,” Tourism ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda was quoted as saying by the Namibian.
“The pandemic is putting restrictions on travelling and these are just measures that other countries are taking. We must also put measures as a country to reduce the number of infections so that we are removed from that list.”
He said the high-risk classification speaks to the situation in Namibia and that the government enforced restrictions to arrest the situation.
Hospitality Association of Namibia chief executive Gitta Paetzold also said the travel bans will affect the recovery efforts of the local tourism industry.
“We've just been informed that France will not allow Namibians to travel to their country … The world sees us as a no-go area now ...”
Namibia had been experiencing a spike in new COVID-19 infections and deaths.
The country was recently placed under lockdown for two weeks, which makes it difficult for people to travel from one region to another.
However, tourists are still allowed into the country.
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