TRAVELLERS who have patiently waited for borders to re-open to cross the border into Lesotho face a new hurdle owing to stringent COVID-19 testing requirements.

Travellers, both tourists and cross border workers face a further bottleneck as government health facilities are barred from testing and issuing certificates to prospective travellers.

Free State department of health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi confirmed government clinics and hospitals would not test cross travellers.

“We don’t randomly test. Our policy is to screen people and test the eligible ones who show signs and symptoms as per the screening tool,” he said in a brief WhatsApp interview.

Announcing the border re-opening, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa early this month said only land border posts that had remained operational during the lockdown and the three main airports: King Shaka, OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports would process travellers.

Travellers arriving in South Africa would need to present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure, he said.

“Where a traveller has not done a COVID-19 test prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

“All travellers will be screened on arrival and those presenting with symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is conducted.”