NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 24-The Kenya Revenue Authority has ordered the compulsory screening of the coronavirus for cargo truck drivers, and their crew at the border points.
The directive comes after Uganda reported that five Kenyan truck drivers had tested positive of the disease.
KRA Commissioner Customs and Border Control Kevin Safari in a statement said that it will co-operate with the East African authorities to ensure the directive is implemented.
“ KRA has collaborated with other government agencies to facilitate safe movement of cargo at all the Country’s Ports of Entry, the agencies include ministry of EAC and Regional Development, ministry of Health, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, ,” Safari said in a statement.
While confirming the new directive Chief Administrative Health Rashid Amana said that the ministry is in talks with the regional states to create a practical framework which will not interfere with trade.
“In the spirit of EAC and cooperation, we are collaborating and sharing information on how best we can do this without interrupting the flow of traffic and goods,” said Amana during the daily briefing on the state of the country following the outbreak of COVID 19.
The authority has also allowed trucks crossing the international land border points to carry a crew of three.
The Authority also ordered for mandatory fumigation of trucks at the International Border Crossing and designated hotels or lodges for the cargo crew. Additionally, there will be provision of sanitizers, disinfectants and clean running water for the drivers and their crew.
KRA which is also the Lead Agency at the Land Borders KRA said it had taken adequate measures to ensure there are adequate staff numbers at the border points who will continue to observe social distancing guidelines.
Kenya now has a total of 336 confirmed coronavirus cases, the death toll still stands at 14 while the total number of recoveries now stands at 96.
