By Neo Kolane
Long queues of Basotho migrant workers returning to South Africa after the festive holidays, continue to be seen at the two major ports of entry, the Maseru Bridge and Maputsoe Bridge.
Although the volume of travelers is by far at its heaviest at Maputsoe, it appeared to be more manageable at Maseru Bridge.
When theReporter visited the border gate around 13:00 hours on Monday, an immigration officer explained that they issue out forms to 100 people to fill out; the travelers are then tested for Covid-19 on the following day and receive their results instantly.
On December 29, health minister, Motlatsi Maqelepo announced that Covid-19 testing would be available at hospitals in every district.
Apart from a valid passport, a work permit, special permit, or study permit, Maqelepo said travelers must produce a certificate showing they are free of the coronavirus before they can be allowed into South Africa.
Most of the people in the queues do not know the processes involves in testing, all they heard was that they could test at the border gate.
One of the departing migrant workers, Rabohlale Nape who hails from Mohlanapeng in Thaba Tseka and works in the Northwest Province town of Klerksdorp, told this publication that he tested at Paray Hospital on Saturday but has still has not received his results, hence his decision to try his luck at the border gate.
“I do not know how they operate at the border gate, but I heard on radio yesterday that it is possible to test at the border gate. I basically came here to test the waters; if my results back home come out before these ones here, my wife can always bring them to me,” Nape said.
theReporter was not allowed to cross over to the South African side of the border.
