The president of Ghana, HE Nana Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed that, Ghana will not extend her negative COVID-19 PCR test period from three to at least five days before boarding flights to Ghana.
This comes on the back of calls for the negative COVID-19 PCR negative test period to be extended to at least five days by a section of passengers who intend to travel into the country.
President Akufo-Addo, in his 18th address to the nation on measures taken against the spread of COVID-19, stressed that, though he is aware of calls for government to extend the PCR negative test period before boarding flights from three to at least five days, the period will not be extended.
In his address on Sunday night, President Akufo-Addo said: “I believe, in the context of the second wave of infections that is engulfing so many countries of Europe and America, that we [Ghana] have to insist on the three-day period… It is better to be safe than sorry.”
The president further explained that, following the provision of testing facilities, which ensure the speed and accuracy of COVID-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), a total of 30,564 passengers have been tested, from which 92 have tested positive.
President Akufo-Addo also pointed out that, all 92 from the KIA testing are asymptomatic cases, whose status, but for the test, wouldn’t been detected, and would have spread the disease amongst the rest of the Ghanaian populace.
The president further indicated that, the government has expanded COVID-19 testing facilities from the initial two to 16, including those of private sector providers across the country. In addition, several hospitals have been equipped with the capacity to test for COVID-19.
