Covid-19 tests cause big delays at border posts
By Kailene Pillay
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Durban - The urgent implementation of the new Border Management Authority (BMA) Act has come under the spotlight yet again as thousands of travellers on Monday struggled to enter the country due to major delays at critical ports of entry.
The end of the Easter long weekend saw many people returning from their vacations across the border, particularly at the Lebombo Border Post between Mozambique and Mpumalanga.
Travellers entering the country had to abide by the regulations, which included the mandatory wearing of masks at all times, practising social distancing and presenting a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours.
âââ 06:19 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 PHOTO: Eyewitness News
Adequate measures are in place to deal with the influx of people at the Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, authorities said.
On Monday, 20 land borders reopened after more than a month of closure to try to curb the spread of COVID-19. But truck congestion remains an issue.
Truck driver Festus Mwiya said the drivers are tired of the queue. Every time, letâs say that we donât sleep, so now I have two nights of no sleeping, a day you are waiting to move, he said. At night you are waiting to move. But, you just move maybe a metre.â
Tuesday 16 February 2021 - 5:35am
Thousands of truck drivers have had to endure long queues, as 20 of the country s land borders reopened on Monday. Frustrated truck drivers are fearing for their lives. They say there s no security. Courtesy #DStv403
MUSINA - Adequate measures are in place to deal with the influx of people at the Beitbridge border between South Africa and Zimbabwe, authorities said.
On Monday, 20 land borders reopened after more than a month of closure to trying to curb the spread of COVID-19.
But truck congestion remains an issue.
Truck driver Festus Mwiya said the drivers are tired of the queue.