EA business body urges member states to dismantle COVID-19 testing at border points

ARUSHA – The East African Business Council (EABC)is appealing to member-states including South Sudan to end coronavirus testing at border entry points because it is affecting entry of goods between countries.

Speaking to reporters in Arush, Tanzania, on Thursday, Dr. Peter Mutuku, the CEO of the EABC said authorities should remove COVID-19 restrictions including testing because they impact movement of goods.

“We are asking partner states to harmonize and agree that there is no testing done at border points,” Mutuku said.

“On the side of Uganda, we know they have been charging $65. To avid that, they have been coming on the Kenyan side to be tested for free because Kenya is testing for free,” he added, stating that “This is causing a lot of jam in terms of testing. That’s why you see those kind of challenges at the border points.”