The Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines, Cornwell Muleya has called for a uniform COVID-19 testing regime for travellers within East Africa.
His remarks came shortly after police apprehended 23 intending travellers with forged COVID-19 negative test certificates over the weekend.
A Test certificate is a prerequisite for all intending travellers as part of the standard operating procedures put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
A week ago, authorities at the airport said more than 50 passengers had so far missed their flights for showing up with invalid COVID-19 negative test certificates.
All travellers going through the airport are required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued within 120 hours before their departure time while incoming passengers must have a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours before their flight.
The new guidelines came into effect on October 1st, 2020 when the government reopened Entebbe International Airport for commercial flights after a six-month lockdown.
However according to Muleya, the region needs a uniform system which allows for only one testing point.
“The issue which is a little bit uncertain is various testing regimes because in certain areas people test for COVID-19 before they board the aircraft, then when they arrive, they are tested again,” he said in an interview.
On how they are currently performing, he said the market is still uncertain adding that in the region they started with four routes which include, Juba, Nairobi, Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam.
“So far those markets are performing well. There is a lot of travel and I think people are gaining confidence again because we have demonstrated that travel is actually safe, so that’s good news for us. We expect more countries to open,” he said.