Screening of passengers at the various ports of entry in Cameroon remains free of charge, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda has stressed.

According to the Minister of Public Health, the measure will continue to remain in place as prescribed by the Head of State, Paul Biya.

“Following the high-level instructions of the Head of State, I would like to make it clear that tests, for both those departing from and arriving Cameroon, remain free. But we insist on the systematic testing of passengers landing in our country,” Dr Malachie Manaouda said in a tweet of Saturday.

The instruction from the Head of State comes has been welcomed by passengers who faced the prospect of paying FCFA 30,000 if entering the country or FCFA 60,000 if leaving the country.

Since the gradual return to normal life and activities, public health officials have continued to maintain strict measures at airports in order to prevent an importation of the virus and a consequent outbreak of a second wave of infections.

According to a public service agreement signed between the government of Cameroon and Korean firm MEDITEST, the company will screen passengers, disinfect luggage, carry out screening tests for COVID-19, verify and authenticate COVID-19 test of passengers before boarding and disembarking at the Yaounde and Douala airports.