 in Gatumba located in the western part of the country which is considered as the main economic frontier between the two countries.){kind=link}
Gitega is set to reopen border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Gatumba located in the western part of the country which is considered as the main economic frontier between the two countries.
This comes after the Burundi government closed the border with DRC in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, and preventing imported cases of the pandemic.
“Soon, we are going to install a testing centre in Gutumba as Congolese and nearby citizens will be diagnosed and treated for covid-19,”said Burundi’s health minister Thaddée Ndikumana.
The announcement was made on May 3rd, 2021 after the commission in charge of coronavirus prevention assessed the situation that prevails in the country in as far as Corona virus is concerned.
During a press conference in Bujumbura the minister of public health Thaddée Ndikumana said that measures are going to be implemented to rule out adequate activities in order to contain and prevent the spread of the virus.
An estimated 10,000 Congolese use Gatumba border to enter into the country as majority’s visit is for tourism, trade and visiting relatives living in Bujumbura.
Burundi first diagnosed coronavirus case in March, 2020. On Governmental and individual levels, effort to combat the virus was intensified and implemented countrywide.
Currently Burundi has 356 COVID-19 active cases and that patients are undergoing treatment according to the authorities.
Mass screening for high school students was launched last month countrywide with an estimated 52,000 students being tested, 3000 teachers and 4000 school workers tallying to 59,000 tests conducted.
2 percent to the 59000 tested positive for coronavirus who according to the health minister recovered and some discharged from the hospital.
An average of 4,000 tests is believed to be conducted on a daily basis resulting to rapid test equipment scarcity according to the government.
Burundi is yet to launch covid-19 vaccine campaign despite other East African countries already launched the vaccination exercise, Burundi minister of health said that currently the government supports tests and treatment as the vaccine is still on the trial stage.
“Once the World Health Organization approves it the government will decide accordingly,” said Mr. Ndikumana.
The Burundi minister of public health did not clarify when the border between Burundi and DRC is set to reopen but said that the efforts to install the covid-19 infrastructure is underway.