President Hage Geongob has called for a day of prayer on Wednesday 8 April 2020 for the protection and welfare of Namibia against Covid-19.

In a statement on Monday, Geingob said the day of prayer would give effect to the call he made on 27 March 2020 for daily prayers during the lockdown period.

Currently, Namibia has put two regions – Khomas and Erongo – under lockdown while the rest of the country is under a state of emergency.

“I request all churches who wish to participate, to ring their bells at 12h00 Noon on this day. All Namibians who wish to participate must unite in faith, humble themselves and lift their voices to pray for the protection and welfare of our country,” Geingob said.

He added that Bishop Sageus /Keib will lead the nation in the national prayer from the State House.

Namibia currently has confirmed 16 cases and a number of measures have been put into place including the opening a Covid-19 Command Centre where different stakeholders update the nation of the current news about the pandemic.

Geingob said he was very impressed with the important work being done at the Centre, facilitated by the information ministry deputy minister Emma Teofilus.

The president urged all Namibians to obey and cooperate with the authorities because the virus does not respect social strata, race, ethnicity or boundaries.

He also revealed that the government had received N$36 million towards the National Disaster Fund account for COVID-19 and in-kind donations such as water tankers, testing kits and ventilators.

The companies that have donated, according to Geingob are:
• De Beers Group – N$15 million;
• DebMarine Namibia – a donation of 20 ventilators to the value of N$9.9 million;
• Old Mutual Namibia – testing and tracking equipment and food supplies worth N$5 million;
• Social Security Commission – a donation of water tankers for informal settlements to the value of N$3.3 million;
• NAMDIA and MTC – N$1 million each;
• The SWAPO Party – N$1 million;
• Jack Ma – testing kits and personal protective equipment;