The mandatory testing for all incoming passengers at Entebbe International Airport has been suspended, government officials have announced.
Last month, the Ministry of Health revised travel guidelines, tightening COVID-19 rules in the face of fake Covid-19 certificates, mutations of the virus and threats of a looming third wave in the country hence directing that effective September 3, all incoming passengers regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated against COVID-19 will undertake mandatory testing at Entebbe Airport.
Previously, travellers were required to show negative coronavirus test results done 72 hours prior to travel before departure or entering the country which means that the status will be maintained, according Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health spokesperson.
The new measures sought to prevent the importation of more deadly variants of the virus that has so far killed 2,939 people in Uganda.
Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates among others were subjected to mandatory testing if they are not fully vaccinated.
Ainebyoona, said in a statement that the inter-ministerial committee resolved that the directive be postponed for two weeks.
“An inter-ministerial committee convened by the prime Minister has postponed for two weeks an earlier recommendation by the Ministry of Health of testing all arriving travellers at Entebbe International airport and other points of entry pending a visit to the airport and testing site,”.
Ainebyoona noted that this means that the Ministry will not implement this new measure aimed at testing all incoming travellers on September 3, 2021 as earlier commutated adding that status quo remains.
Ainebyoona also noted that some of the over 20 laboratories that have been accredited have asked to set up laboratories at the testing centre.
Some of the laboratories include MAIA Group Labs, City Medicals, Same Day Lab, MBN Laboratory and Case Hospital.
On genomic and vibrant strains, Ainebyoona noted that Uganda Virus Research Institute has been undertaking genomic surveillance to understand the vibrant behind the COVID-19 cases in Uganda