East African Community or EAC Secretariat is urging Partner States to treat truck drivers and crew who test positive for COVID-19 rather than deporting them to the country of origin as this will result in further spread of the disease.
The Secretariat called on Partner States to enforce mandatory screening or testing of truck drivers and crew at border posts and undertake mobile monitoring during transit at selected inland points.
EAC further advises the states to quarantine those with symptoms for 14 days under the supervision of the respective Ministry of Health.
To facilitate cross-border trade during the ongoing crisis, Partner States should adopt multi-sectoral and coordinated approach and provide access at all points for entry and exit of goods.
The secretariat also directed Transporters and Transporters’ Associations to adhere to the requirement of having only two to three operators of the truck including the driver.