THABO Ntoi, the National COVID-19 Secretariat (NACOSEC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Operational Support says although South Africa has rejected the COVID-19 rapid antigen test at most border posts in the Free State province, a similar test has been put into use at the Tele, Sani Pass and Qacha’s Nek border gates.

He said the NACOSEC notified its SA counterparts earlier about the country’s intention to provide the antigen test at all border posts.

“But South Africa indicated that in accordance with its regulations, it only accepts PCR test for people who cross into SA,” Mr Ntoi said.
He however, showed that SA later pledged to amend this regulation, while also promising to give Lesotho feedback on the matter.

He was quick to show that since the Sani Pass was in Kwazulu Natal Province while the Tele and Qacha’s Nek gates were in the Eastern Cape, the two Provinces did not have any problems even though the regulation mentioned above still stands, adding that was why the tests were continuing.
On a different note, Mr Ntoi said about 20 000 people had already received their Pfizer jabs, adding that most of them were children.

“The programme to vaccinate children in schools is in the pipeline and is progressing quite well,” he also said.