Coronavirus fee of US $ 150: I was not consulted

General news for Friday 12 February 2021

Source: Atinka online

2021-02-12

Minister-designate for the Foreign Office, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, says she has not been consulted about the US $ 150 for antigen testing at Kotoka International Airport.

Travelers arriving through Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (KIA), when borders reopened last year, were charged US $ 150 for the COVID-19 test as part of the spread control measures of the coronavirus in the country.

However, a recent decision was made for ECOWAS citizens in the 15 member states to only have a financial charge of US $ 50 for the COVID-19 test. This measure came into effect on February 8.

The tests are part of guidelines set out by the Ministry of Aviation and Health to prevent importation of the disease into the country and that the accuracy of the tests was around 99 to 100 percent.

Speaking to the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Thursday, February 11, 2021, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway revealed that he was not consulted prior to the implementation of the US $ 150 antigen test charge at KIA.

“I have not been consulted on the $ 150 antigen test fee at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) but I know that in ECOWAS a decision has been made for ECOWAS citizens in the 15 member states to only have a financial burden of $ 50 for the COVID-19 test.

“I think everything is fine. Even in Europe, there are still fees for the citizens of the area and another for people outside,” she added.

On closing land borders, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway called on the general public to be patient and leave it to the authorities in charge to find ways to assure Ghanaians that the country is ready to handle entry. and the exit of people via the land borders.