WINDHOEK, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Namibia launched the Private Sector Roadblock COVID-19 Testing Initiative to assist the government in the fight against the pandemic by optimizing COVID-19 testing services for the tourism industry at an event on Monday.

Speaking at the event, Namibia's Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula said as part of this initiative, COVID-19 swabbing and testing stations will be established at various strategic locations along the country's national road network to provide services to tourists traveling in the country.

"Although the measures we have put in place have enabled us to avert the worst-case scenario in terms of the initial projections, the COVID-19 situation remains critical," he said.

Kalumbi said it is pleasing that the private sector has come together to operationalize the initiative.

"The synergies created by the tourism industry and their pathology service counterparts is an indication that effective cooperation can be fostered across industries to achieve a common goal," he added.

Namibia's Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Heather Sibungo said Namibia has recorded a decline of about 87 percent in international tourist arrivals in 2020, and this is such a major shock that translated into a massive loss of over 1,000 jobs.

Namibia will be host the United Nations World Tourism Organization Regional Conference on Strengthening Brand Africa for the Swift Recovery of the Tourism Sector from June 14 to 16 and around 50 to 100 international delegates are expected. Enditem

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