Overview
Eswatini has reported 217 positive cases (2 deaths) as of May 20, 2020. Starting on March 17, the government has declared a national state of emergency, and implemented containment measures, including suspension of private and public gatherings of 20 people or more, schools closures, suspension of non-essential travel within cities for all citizens, closure of borders to all but goods, cargo, returning citizens, and legal residents, and mandatory self-isolation for residents/citizens coming from abroad. On March 27, a partial lockdown went into effect, and a month later the Manzini region, where a third of the population resides, went into full lockdown. The authorities in collaboration with the WHO have built domestic detection capacity. Economic activity has been affected by the closure of some ports of entry with South Africa and the lockdown in South Africa. The exchange rate against the US$ depreciated by 28 percent in the first quarter.
Official Resources
no data
Travel Restrictions
1. Passengers are not allowed to enter Eswatini.
- This does not apply to nationals and residents of Eswatini.
2. Nationals and residents of Eswatini are subject to quarantine in designated locations for a period of 14 days.
Source : IATA Timatic
Economic Measures
Reopening of the economy. Effective May 8, the government has begun the process of carefully easing the partial lockdown and announced the demarcation of three risk zones (red, orange, and yellow) based on most number of cases. The red zone will have stricter restrictions easing down while the yellow zone will adhere to core preventative measures. The national emergency was extended by one month starting on May 19.
Key Policy Responses
FISCAL
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In FY19/20 (ending March 31, 2020), a supplementary budget was approved for additional public healthcare of E100 million (0.14 percent of GDP). Low priority recurrent spending will be redirected to the fight against the pandemic and a portion of the capital budget will be reallocated towards refurbishing hospitals and completing new hospitals. Food assistance will be provided to the most vulnerable, benefiting over 300,000 people. Additional expenditure policies are being considered but have not yet been finalized. Revenue measures to mitigate the impact of the virus include: (i) taxpayers projecting losses will file loss provisional returns and no payment will be required; (ii) extension of returns filing deadlines by 3 months before penalties kick-in; (iii) payment arrangements for taxpayers facing cash flow problems; (iv) waiver of penalties and interest for older tax debts if principal is cleared by the end of September 2020; and (v) up to E90 million (0.13 percent of GDP) in tax refunds for SMEs that have complied with tax obligations, retain employees, and continue to pay them during this period. The authorities have reduced the price of fuel twice and postponed the planned increase in water and electricity prices. For more information see http://www.gov.sz/.
MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL
EXCHANGE RATE AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
Source : IMF & WB
Civic Freedom Tracker
Eswatini
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The King proclaims a "national emergency" on March 17 and a ban on all public and private gatherings of over 50 people. The Ministry of Home Affairs will also create a "control management system" for refugees and asylum seekers. (See primary source or citation here)
Type: order
Date Introduced: 17 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly, Emergency
THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) REGULATIONS, LEGAL NOTICE NO. 72 OF 2020
The Prime Minister, on behalf of the King, imposes additional measures to contain the coronavirus, including a prohibition on gatherings of more than 20 people. (See primary source or citation here)
Type: regulation
Date Introduced: 27 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Assembly
Source : ICNL
