Cross-border Traders To Get 'Cheap' Coronavirus Testing

The Cross-Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe (CBTAZ) on Friday said it had clinched a deal with a Bulawayo-based laboratory to test each cross-border trader for SARS-CoV-2 for less than the amount charged by local laboratories for the tests.

Killer Zivhu, who is the current president of the organisation, and a former ZANU PF Member of Parliament, said the coronavirus testing facility will cost each trader “only” US$35 which is far less than the US$60 demanded by other local laboratories. Said Zivhu:

It is a reputable laboratory in Bulawayo run by a renowned scientist. For medical ethics, I cannot reveal the name because doctors are not allowed to advertise.

These are reputable centres and will take traders’ samples and send them to the laboratory and tests will be speedily done and re-sent to the provinces.

Zivhu added that the CBTAZ has also set up centres in all the country’s 10 provinces to collect COVID-19 samples.

The former Chivi South legislator said the facility will save cross border traders a lot of money, especially for those who travel frequently to neighbouring countries. He said:

What we are saying is that when you go to South Africa, you must protect South Africans by testing and when you come back you should retest again to protect Zimbabweans.

Upon returning to Zimbabwe and getting retested if they decide to go back to SA within the 14 days window period, they will use the same test certificate.

This would save them a lot of money because other laboratories charge US$60 per each test.

The South African government recently announced that it will reopen its borders on October 1.

However, all visitors to the country will be required to produce coronavirus-free certificates before they are allowed into the country.

More: Daily News