IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) “the Commission” through the BNSC Act No. 3() of 2014 and the Botswana National Sport Commission (Covid- 19) (Sport Safety Standards) Regulations, 2021, article 7(1), the following guidelines are hereby issued, with respect to spectators at sport events:

1. Citation and commencement

The Guidelines may be cited as the BNSC Phased Return of Spectators to Sport Guidelines and shall come into effect on 21st October 2021 until 31st December 2021, unless otherwise amended by the Commission.

2. Interpretation

In these Guidelines, unless the context otherwise requires:

 “Covid-19” has the meaning assigned to it under the Public Health (Covid-19 Control Measures) Regulations;

“National Sport Associations” shall mean national sport bodies that are registered with and/or recognised by the Botswana National Sport Commission and/or the Botswana National Olympic Committee. These shall hereinafter also be referred to as NSAs.

“Spectator” shall mean a person physically present at a sport event for the sole purpose of watching and without any explicit role at the sport event. This is irrespective of whether the person is paying or not to watch the event.

3. Spectator Numbers

a, Venues with fixed spectator seating

These may be filled only up to fifty (50) percent of their official capacity, provided that other conditions set herein are adhered to.

b, Venues with NO fixed spectator seating

These may be filled only up to 1/3 (one third) of their official capacity, provided that other conditions set herein are adhered to.

4. Conditions

Spectators will only be allowed at sport events to the afore stated numbers provided that:

a) NSAs shall ensure that all their members’ and/or structures’ events, there is appointed a Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Officer for the purpose of ensuring that all Covid-19 protocols are observed at the said event. The SHE officer shall possess a minimum qualification Of a diploma in the fields of occupational health and safety.

b) With respect to each event of an NSA, express permission of the BNSC is obtained and with respect to an event of a member of an NSA, the express permission of the appropriate NSAs is obtained;

c) It will be compulsory for spectators to wear masks, seat/ stand a safe distance apart and observe other Covid-19 protocols;

d) That the competition venue and/or organizers provide hand wash/ sanitizations services;

e) That there are functional and accessible ablution facilities within close proximity to the match venue.

f) All spectators shall be requested to produce photo identity cards;

g) Spectators falling within age brackets that are eligible for Covid- 19 vaccination would only be allowed entry upon production of valid Covid- 19 vaccination certificates.

h) Spectators falling outside the vaccination eligibility brackets will only be allowed entry upon production of negative Covid-19 rapid test results not older than 48hrs.

5. Sale of Alcohol to

a) Alcohol SHALL NOT be sold and/or consumed at venues; in the exception of those venues with licensed and operational establishments within the facilities.

Issued by Mr. Tuelo Daniel Serufho, Chief Executive Officer of the BNSC on this 19th day of October 2021.