There are plans to designate service stations that will be used by truck drivers only in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In addition, there are also plans to reserve certain amenities from where truck drivers can buy food and andy other necessities without mingling with other people.
Truck drivers are the most vulnerable workers because of their jobs that require them to cross borders, including going into countries where Covid-19 is wreaking havoc.
So far, two Namibian drivers who left Gobabis via Botswana tested positive of Covid-19 in that country.
According to police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga, some service stations in Keetmanshoop and Otavi are denying truck drivers access to the toilets and entry into shops.
Ndeitunga said this came about because of social media posts that claim that truck drivers are importing Covid-19 into Namibia.
“These are dangerous narratives as these truck drivers may even be killed because of this. We are so easy to forget that these workers provide essential services,” Nditunga said.
Arnold Schmidt from the Namibia Logistics Association said it is not true that drivers were being paid per hour.
Schmidt said truck drivers earn between N$8 000 and N$15 000 monthly as well as pension and medical aid.
