[Photo: Gulf News]
Uganda has suspended the mandatory Covid-19 testing of all passengers arriving at the country’s Entebbe international airport.
“We would like to inform the public that the mandatory COVID-19 testing of all incoming travellers at Entebbe International Airport upon arrival has been stopped with effect from today, 16 February 2022,” read a statement from the Ministry of Health.
Since October 2021, all passengers were required to test on arrival whether they had a valid negative PCR test or not.
The health ministry says the decision follows a decline in positive cases identified at the airport.
“The suspension also follows the reduction in the global threat of new variants of concern (VoC) and therefore reduced risk of importation of VoC that will increase community transmission.”
However, passengers whether leaving or coming into Uganda will still be required to have valid negative PCR test paperwork.
“The requirement for COVID-19 testing 72 hours before boarding for both incoming and exiting travellers remains in effect,” said the ministry.
“Our health workers will continue to screen all travellers both at arrival and departure and verify their COVID-19 test certificates.”
The mandatory Covid-19 testing had brought businesses to a standstill at Malaba and Busia along the Kenyan border with Uganda.
This is as truck drivers demonstrated the testing and its charge of $30.
The strike led to a fuel shortage in Uganda, forcing the government to cut the cost to $25 and eventually suspend testing for truck drivers only.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
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