Ordinary cross border Zimbabweans are failing to afford Covid-19 tests that are required as a pass to cross the Zimbabwean borders due to the amount required for the test which many are arguing to be too expensive.
When the borders opened to international travel on December 1, the government said one should produce a Covid-19 negative test result taken within 48 hours.
Covid- 19 tests prices are ranging from US$60 (the cheapest) at private hospitals and many cross borders can’t seem to afford that much money hence they resort to using any means available.
During interviews, 263times learnt that a lot of people are finding it difficult to attain Covid-19 tests hence some are resorting to border jumping to countries like South Africa and Zambia so as to make a living.
Furthermore, many are easily falling into scam traps when they look for cheaper Covid-19 tests prices.
Last week, the police arrested two suspects, Simbarashe Tsetse (24) and Freddy Katamanga (31) for originating fake Covid-19 certificates for travellers at Chirundu Border Post.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the duo were arrested after a tip off from members of the public.
“The suspects were arrested after a tip off from members of the public, leading to the recovery of 334 blank stamped Covid-19 certificates, two tubes containing glass capillaries, two testing kits, two receipt books, three plastic capillaries, Covid-19 test record register, methylated spirit bottle and one packet of new needles in their office at Self-Med Complex.” ZRP said.
The statement said the duo had no medical qualifications.
As of today, the Covid -19 has killed 291 people in Zimbabwe including veteran ZBC news reporter Janet Munyaka who succumbed to the virus over the weekend.
