The Ghana Health Service says there has not been any protest over the $150 COVID-19 test fee at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Even though some section of Ghanaians have disagreed with the $150 and deem it too expensive, the GHS said those who have arrived have not protested and have duly paid.
He noted that the investment in logistics for testing meant “the cost build-up is not going to be easy” and that the cost is “more about the value you are providing.”
This notwithstanding, he maintained that the price “is relatively cheap.”
“We’ve also not had any significant protest from anybody who feels that the cost is too much.”
The GHS also said they are yet to record any case of COVID-19Bat the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from arrivals.
So far about 300 passengers have been tested since the KIA resumed operations on September 1, 2020, after being closed to international traffic for about five months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The test comes at a fee of $150 and must be done by everyone who enters the country.
“So far we have not recorded any positive cases and that is our ultimate aim. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that people arrive here negative and truly negative,” the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said at a press briefing today, September 3, 2020.
In the event that someone tests positive for COVID-19 after arrival, the person will be held at the Ga East Hospital.
As a precaution, arriving passengers must have a negative PCR test result which is not older than 72-hours.
On September 2, 2020 the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) petitioned the Ministry of Health over the $150 mandatory COVID-19 test fee.
They claim that this amount being charged violates Part VII of the International Health Regulations (2005).
The BPS therefore called on the Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu to immediately withdraw the $150 fee charged for COVID-19 test at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
