Government Orders Fresh Covid-19 Tests For Migrant Workers

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news July 12, 2021

A new directive from the Ministry of Health has asked all migrant workers to test for Covid-19 again before they depart the country despite presenting negative results.

This is because some of these workers have resorted to presenting falsified certificates. They risk travelling with the disease and intensifying its spread.

‘’With effect from Sunday, July 11, 2021, at midnight, the Ministry of Health will retest the high-risk group of migrant workers 24 hours before their flights. The Ministry will do this at a free cost under the government of Uganda Laboratory arrangement,’’ Dr. Diana Atwine said in a letter to the Ministry of Gender Permanent Secretary.

Atwine said all migrant workers wishing to fly out of the country have to present negative PCR Covid results. These results should come from a private laboratory of their choice done within 72 hours of their flight.

She further said this is to come as a mandatory requirement for one to fly out of the country.

She said despite the migrant workers presenting negative results at the airport, several people have tested positive at their destinations.

To be specific, it is those that go to the Middle East countries where they go for work.

‘’This exercise is being undertaken to protect the credibility of our health system at meeting international obligations and deter further blacklisting of our country from travel arrangements,’’ Atwine said.

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