Cross-border traders urged to take Covid-19 vaccine
The Cross-border Traders Association says it will continue encouraging its members to get Covid-19 jabs being administered in the country.
Speaking during a multi-stakeholder meeting held under the Safe Trade Project courtesy of the Southern Africa Aids Trust on Friday in Lilongwe, Cross Border Traders Association president Steve Yohane said most of the cross-border traders have not taken the vaccine.
He said: “Our survey revealed that we have more traders that are not vaccinated because of false information about the vaccines among the business community.”
Yohane also decried the high cost of the Covid-19 tests for travel certificates currently at $50 (about K40 000) for Malawians and $100 (about K80 000) for non-Malawians travelling out of the country, urging government to consider revising the fee.
Responding to this, co-chairperson of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 Wilfred Chalamira Nkhoma said they will raise the concern with the Ministry of Health.
“Since they are doing it frequently, they are suggesting a lower price than the current $50. This is not cheap, but we will discuss it as a task force and raise it with the Ministry of Health to make it more affordable,” he said.
Ministry of Trade and Industry Principal Secretary for micro, small and medium enterprises Francis Juwawo said government has developed instruments aimed at supporting and facilitating the activities of cross-border trade.
