"Classes which were scheduled to open on the 16th June 2020 will not open as scheduled until further notice. This applies to all zones across the country," the ministry of basic education said in a statement.

It said all public and private schools in the Greater Gaborone zone would be closed until further notice and that pupils who were boarders would remain at the institutions as lockdown restrictions did not allow them to travel.

Completing classes - namely standard 7 as well as forms 3 and 5 - in zones not affected by the lockdown would continue to go to school, the statement added.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared an indefinite lockdown for the Greater Gaborone zone on Friday, after new Covid-19 infection cases were reported.

Under the lockdown, no movement will be allowed without a permit and all businesses and offices may only continue operating if their employees work remotely from home, except for those designated as essential service providers.

All religious places of worship will stay closed and the number of people attending a funeral will be capped at 50 and the sale of alcohol is barred.

Liquor includes all traditional beers will not be sold for the period of the lockdown.

People are only allowed to leave their homes between 8am and 8 pm to buy food, fill up on fuel at garages or go to pharmacies, agricultural shops, banks, insurance companies and places designated for the collection of social protection packages.

Botswana has so far recorded 60 Covid-19 infection cases with one death and 24 recoveries.

African News Agency (ANA)