East African Community heads of states have resolved to adopt a harmonized system for certification and sharing of test results across the region.
The resolution was made at a consultation meeting held today between Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Salva Kiir of South Sudan held through a video conference.
The leaders took note of the current status of the outbreak in the region and commended the ministers for health, trade, transport and EAC affairs, for the initiative to adopt a regional approach to the covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting received a report from a joint meeting of ministers responsible for health, trade transport and EAC affairs on EAC covid response.
The heads of states designated ministers of health, transport and EAC affairs as the focal persons for regional COVID-19 response and directed them to immediately work on a regional mechanism for testing and certification of truck drivers prior to their departure at the point of origin every two weeks, and report to heads of state.
The leaders noted that information sharing is key during the pandemic and directed ministers of health, trade and EAC Affairs to finalize and adopt EAC digital surveillance system for drivers and crew for immediate use by partner states.
The meeting also took note of efforts by partner states in undertaking bilateral engagements to address cross-border challenges and the situation assessment by the EAC secretariat on the clearance processes at borders during the pandemic.
The heads of states directed partner states to facilitate farmers to continue farming activities during the pandemic and the post-covid period and as well cushion them from the effects of the pandemic.
EAC Heads of states agreed to meet regularly to address the response efforts, and thanked Paul Kagame for convening a well organized meeting held in a cordial atmosphere.
The heads of state commended partner states, WHO AND ACDC for the efforts being made to address the covid pandemic and steps taken to prevent the spread in the EAC.
