By Nasratu Kargbo
National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) has in a press statement dated 10th June 2021 announced it latest moves to upgrade the COVID-19 testing system for international travellers.
According to NaCOVERC, the upgrade is to make sure “Sierra Leone’s testing system continues to be fully in line with the standard travel requirements worldwide”. The statement noted that NaCOVERC has maximized the use of technological solutions in order to make travelling from Sierra Leone to any other destination easier.
One of the upgrades made is on the COVID-19 test certificate that indicates the date and time the COVID-19 swab was conducted, a development that is in line with the requirement of present-day travel as many destinations require swab-dated certificates on arrival.
NaCOVERC says the “COVID-19 test certificates will be available 24-48 hours from the day the swab was conducted”.
The release confirmed that the COVID-19 test certificates are now accessed electronically, and that the e-certificate can be downloaded directly from the travel portal. Explaining to the public on how travellers can access their e-certificate, it advises that travellers visit the website www.travel.gov.sl , and click on the ‘Track Progress’ after which, they should enter their unique SO code, and download their certificates.
NaCOVERC added that travellers can print their certificates and show the hardcopies at the airport, if they do not have smartphone; for those who have a smartphone they can show the airport officials the downloaded document on their screen. NaCOVERC advised travellers that there is no need to go to the Emergency Operations Centre before they travel.
The release also stated that while the new upgrades are taking effect, all exemptions are temporarily suspended for a period of “30 days”. Therefore, everyone is required to register on the travel portal and pay for COVID-19 tests; including diplomats. It explained that any person who ordinarily is exempted must register and pay during the suspension period, but the person can “contact NaCOVERC to claim a refund at a later date”.
NaCOVERC said it will continue to review and upgrade the system as the global COVID-19 landscape changes, which according to the institution is to “keep Sierra Leone and all those who travel to/from Sierra Leone safe”.
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