Government on Tuesday called off an almost one and a half year obligatory COVID-19 testing for travelers transiting through Entebbe International Airport, both inbound and outbound.
It should be recalled – since the reopening of the Airport after the first wave lockdown meant to curb the increased spread of the coronavirus, Government on 1st October, 2020 reopened Entebbe International Airport for commercial passenger flights to recommence amidst tight measures to reduce on the new infections rate, as among them included observing all the stipulated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), well as compulsory testing and presenting a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and also undergo another Covid-19 test before allowed access to mix up in the communities. The same applied for passengers flying out of the Country to have a test done and presented at least 72 hours before departing the Country.
Although the procedure has been expensive for most travelers testing almost twice, news about its removal was received with jubilation as travelers will now enter and depart freely without any inconveniences of the same kind.
While meeting the Parliamentary committee commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday this week, Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala revealed that only inbound passengers will be subjected to mandatory COVID-19 testing with negative PCR tests done within 72 hours but still show signs and symptoms of Coronavirus, although Government maintains its position in the scrap off of mandatory tests.
Gen. Wamala added, ‘’the decision by the Government has been undertaken with consent from partner states of the East African Community (EAC).
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health – Dr Diana Atwine noted that the decision has been implemented immediately.
She revealed, ‘’Government undertook the verdict now that the infectious rate has lowered, and therefore, the mandatory testing action at the Airport is halted’’.
However, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa – Director health services at the Ministry of Health, Covid-19 requirements for both arriving and departing travelers will remain in place as health workers will screen all passengers for Covid-19 test results taken 72 hours, as well, they must present their vaccination certificates for verification.
Current statistics indicate that, Covid-19 test positivity rate has lowered to 1.6% daily as 63 new cases were registered by Monday this week, while the cumulative confirmed cases are 162, 865, and a total of 15,610,547 doses of vaccines have been administered to the population.
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