Zimbabwe charging $60 COVID-19 fee at ports of entry. Yesterday the government announced that travellers coming into the country with Covid-19 symptoms will pay a nominal fee of US$60 for testing irrespective of having a Covid-19 free certificate or not.
Zimbabwe government spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana has clarified on the issue of the payment of $60 for COVID-19 testing at the ports of entry.
There was a misconception that everyone coming into the country will pay the $60, however, Mangwana clarified that it is only applicable to travellers who show COVID-19 symptoms. Below are Mangwana’s tweets:
TO BE CLEAR,
Every international arrival needs to have a COVID19 Free Certificate.
-You show symptoms – you pay US$60 for a PCR test⛔
-You show no symptoms- You are free to go✅— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 29, 2020
OPTION 1- Govt should pay for symptomatic arrivals to be tested here
OPTION 2- Just allow a symptomatic person to come in-no testing
OPTION 3- Test the symptomatic arrival and let them bear the cost.
OPTION 4- Refuse entry to an arrival showing symptoms.
OPTION 1- Govt should pay for symptomatic arrivals to be tested here
OPTION 2- Just allow symptomatic person to come in-no testing
OPTION 3- Test the symptomatic arrival and let them bear the cost.
OPTION 4- Refuse entry to an arrival showing symptoms.
**Foreigner
Your choice?— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 30, 2020
Ports of entry are expected to open to the general public on 1 October after the government eased Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Addressing journalists during the 34th post Cabinet briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said funds realized from the testing will go towards replenishing of laboratory commodities.
“As a measure to guarantee the safety of travelers, Cabinet further resolved that in line with Statutory Instrument 216(5) Section 8, which requires travellers showing COVID-19 symptoms, whether or not they have a Covid-19-free certificate to be tested, a nominal fee of US$60 be levied on travellers tested at ports of entry,” said Mutsvangwa “and that the proceeds be used to replenish laboratory commodities Metered taxi operations have been allowed to resume services to allow for the movement of tourists and citizens who are unable to use public transport.”
Source – Bulawayo24
