GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

PRESS STATEMENT

IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN DEALING WITH THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to inform the public of the following actions taken reinforce the declaration of a national emergency and action statement made by His Excellency, the Right Honourable Prime Minister regarding the outbreak of the corona virus.

PART 1- ACTIONS ABROAD

Emaswati Nationals and Students abroad

Parents and guardians of students enrolled in learning institutions across the globe are encouraged to register these students with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to create a credible, functional database of Emaswati in the diaspora, for ease of communication with Eswatini Missions abroad. Information required for the register includes; the name of the student, country of residence, institution enrolled and contact details of the student and parent/guardian (including a WhatsApp compliant phone number). The Ministry can be reached through the following means;
Inter-Ministerial Building, Block 8 Level 3, Mhlambanyatsi Road, Mbabane
Telephone: +268 24042661/4
Cell number: 76063245 (Under Secretary- International Co-operation)
Fax : +268 24042669
Email ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emaswati traveling to countries where we do not have diplomatic presence, are strongly encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to departure, or alternatively register with the nearest Embassy, catalogued in Annex One to these guidelines.
Emaswati traveling or resident in countries where we have diplomatic presence, are strongly encouraged to register with our Missions Abroad, also annexed to these guidelines.
Missions abroad are monitoring their individual country situations with a view to advise Government on the most prudent action to be undertaken with regards to protecting Eswatini nationals and students abroad.
Eswatini Missions abroad are in constant communication with all registered students that are in affected countries, emphasizing that they respect and adhere to all quarantine and health screening procedures prescribed by the competent authorities in each country.
Missions will from time-to-time, where necessary and where a budget has been provided; assist with the procurement of protective and preventative material and equipment for Emaswati against the COVID-19 virus.

Travel

Eswatini students in all countries that have managed to control the spread of and effectively treat the corona virus are discouraged from returning back to the Kingdom as this will expose them and others to contagion. They are rather encouraged to seek treatment at the designated care facilities in those countries.
All other situations will be treated by Government on a case by case basis to ensure the appropriate interventions are timeously made.
Parents and guardians of Emaswati students studying abroad who wish to make travel arrangements for the return of their children should contact the Ministry PRIOR to making or finalizing bookings. This is to verify what travel restrictions currently apply in countries of origin and/or transit, particularly where students are stationed or will transit through high risk countries. The Republic of South Africa, through which all international flights connecting to Eswatini are routed, has prohibited arrivals or transit for passengers coming from the following countries until further notice; Italian Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Spain, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the French Republic, the Swiss Confederation and the People’s Republic of China

Dissemination of information

Citizens will be made aware of the national statement on international travel restrictions and encouraged to familiarise themselves and adhere to its prescriptions.
This information shall be disseminated to the diaspora through the Ministry and some Mission websites, social media and registered email addresses.

Social distancing

On Friday 13^th MARCH 2020, The Ministry issued a directive to all missions abroad to close offices until further notice in order to prevent the spread of the virus on public transportation and during face to face engagement with clients.
However, limited and emergency services will be provided to Emaswati on request.

PART II- INTERNAL ACTIONS

Ministry will lock all entries leading to its building including the one adjacent to the escalator/lift so that entrance is gained though our reception. Staff members will be required to use their pin codes to access entry to all levels of the Ministry.
All visitors to the Ministry, including students who have come to certify their documents will be received and attended to at the Reception.
All the Ministry bathrooms will be provided with hand washing soap and additional equipment such as sanitizers and more if possible.
The registry staff in the Ministry will be provided with face masks as well as sanitizers to keep them safe from contacting the virus through incoming mail and spreading it through dissemination of government files.
The Receptionists in the Ministry will also be provided with face masks and sanitizers to safely receive our clients and convey/direct their requests to the relevant offices while keeping them at the reception lounge.
Sanitizers and disinfectants will be made available in the Ministry’s motor vehicles so that users of those vehicles have easy access to them.
Sanitizers will be placed in all the Ministry’s offices as well as entry points at all levels/floors.

Social distancing

Those exhibiting flu symptoms will be required to self-isolate and seek medical attention.

ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

SENATOR THULISILE DLADLA

20^TH MARCH 2020

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