By Mabinty M. Kamara
At its 58 Ordinary Session, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved $50 as the maximum fee for a COVID19 test for travellers within the sub-region.
“The Authority approves the harmonized ECOWAS Protocol for cross border movement of persons and goods during the pandemic and caps the cost of COVID-19 PCR test for travel within the region by ECOWAS nationals at a maximum of US$50,” a communiqué reads in part.
COVID19 test for departing travellers from Sierra Leone is $50 and $80 for arriving passengers. Ghana charges $150 on arrival and $130 for departing passengers.
The Communiqué published after the 58 ordinary session of the commission held via video conference also factored a pool of other regulations geared towards preventing the spread of the virus in the region as well as reducing the economic burden it poses on member states. But falls short of explaining whether countries should charge for arrival and departure. For example Liberia does not charge or require a Covid19 test for arriving passengers so long they produce a NAGATIVE test certificate.
The ECOWAS Authority also approves a pooled procurement approach for anti-COVID19 vaccines. It instructs the ECOWAS Commission to set up a Vaccine Revolving Fund and calls on national governments, development banks, the private sector and partners to contribute to the Fund.
It also instructs the ECOWAS Commission and the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), in conjunction with Member States, to lead the process of sourcing 240 million doses of preferably WHO-approved vaccines through direct and collaborative approaches to manufacturers, partners and friendly foreign governments that may be willing to sell extra doses that they may have pre purchased.
“The Authority requests the ECOWAS Commission and WAHO to drive the process of supply of vaccines, in line with the COVAX Initiative and taking into account the initiatives of Member States at the continental and international level, to ensure the availability of as many vaccines as possible. Authority also directs that the vaccination campaign should start latest by the end June, 2021,”it stated.
On the creation of a monetary union, the authority also noted the deterioration in ECOWAS macroeconomic convergence situation in 2020, as a result of measures taken by Member States to combat COVID-19 and revive their economies.
“In view of the expected impact of the second wave of the pandemic on the macroeconomic convergence situation in 2021, the Summit decides to grant Member States a waiver with regard to meeting the macroeconomic convergence criteria in 2021”, reads the communiqué.
The Authority commended the Ministerial Committee on the Single Currency Programme for the steps taken to implement the decisions of its 57th Ordinary Session held on 7 September 2020, in Niamey, Niger.
Efforts to get the NACOVERC Spokesperson to comment on the new approved rate of the COVID test for travellers within the region proved unproductive.
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