The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has
released directives that intend to prevent more spread of new COVID-19 pandemic
which has largely affected trans-border truck drivers and their assistants
according to recent records.
Cross border truck drivers have caused a new increase in COVID-19 cases |
Since
April 24, the country has started registering big numbers of new cases. On that
very day, the Ministry of health confirmed 22 new cases, the biggest number
since the first case was registered on March 14.
During
the weekend, the ministry registered more cases noting an increase caused by
cross border truck drivers, and Yesterday, April 27, the country registered 16
cases.
This
became a new challenge while the country was registering more recoveries and
quite a few new cases.
To face
the challenge, RRA said in a statement that effective this Monday April 27th all
trucks crossing into Rwanda will no longer enter with the driver from the
country of origin.
Moreover,
all at customs clearing services that are normally offered in Kigali, will be
available at border points.
“Clearing
of goods shall be done using pre-clearance mechanisms currently in place- that
is SCT clearance framework and payment of duties and taxes before arrival of
goods for quick release at the border posts,” said RRA Commissioner General,
Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwari.
RRA
furter said in a statement, that it has become a requirement for every cross
border truck to have two drivers, to make sure that the one from the departure
point gets checked from the border and stays there as the second one from
Rwanda takes over.
“Transporters
who shall have two truck drivers one from the point of departure and a second
driver based on a Rwandan territory shall be allowed to proceed to the final
destination after fulfilling the health guidelines,” RRA said in a statement.
It’s
worth reminding that every person entering Rwanda has to go under COVID-19 test
and to be put in a quarantine for 14 days.
In another
twist, RRA said that on-board cargo and conveyors shall be offloaded before
crossing into the country. Warehouses shall be available at entry points of
Rusumo and Kagitumba borders for loading and offloading.
This will
also come with availability of inland cargo depots for effective loading and
transshipment exercises at the two entry points of Rusumo and Kagitumba which
connect Rwanda to Tanzania and to Uganda respectively.
RRA asked
clearing agencies, shippers, transporters, importers, exporters and warehouse
operators to electronically submit all declaration accompanying cargo, to avoid
more paperwork which would lead to further contamination.
RRA said that transit goods shall be escorted upon entry, up
to the final destinations. – KT Press
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