You will now pay only 50 dollars at Kotoka Airport for Covid-19 test
- Ghana has reduced the cost of the Covid-19 PCR test
- The initial $150 is now $50 following ECOWAS demands
- Ghana’s aviation space is expected to witness a rebound in 2021
Government of Ghana has resorted to reduce the cost involved in Covid-19 testing from $150 to $50. The over hundred percent reduction follows pressure on the administration to reduce the cost as many travelers raise issues over the matter.
The ministry of health has revealed that the decision, among other things, was based on a decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to charge a price less than $100 for the Covid-19 PCR test.
READ ALSO: Ghana joins list of African countries with new deadly Covid variant
Source: Facebook
The Kotoka International Airport, on September 1, 2020, opened to receiving the first batch of international travels since the closure of the country's air borders in March 2020.
At the arrival terminal of KIA, some passengers who got there revealed that they did not undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing.
In a news report monitored by YEN.com.gh on TV3'S News360, some of the passengers said their reason for not undergoing the test was because they did not fall within the category of those who needed to be tested.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 16th COVID-19 address confirmed that the Kotoka International Airport would begin operation on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
Source: Facebook
According to him all passengers who would be reporting to the Kotoka International Airport are to have a negative COVID-19 test result.
He made it clear that all passengers who would be disembarking at the KIA aside possessing a negative COVID-19 test result, need to undertake another test, with that individual bearing his or her own cost.
In view of this, during a tour of the airport and a subsequent press conference at the same venue, President Akufo-Addo announced that passengers would be required to pay an amount of $150 for testing.
Prospects of Ghana’s aviation
Ghana’s aviation space is ready to brace the challenges and opportunities of travels in 2021. Already, The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) has revealed that it has lost nearly 95 percent of its revenue income due to the novel Coronavirus inflicted ban on foreign travel.
Now we have a vaccine, flights have resumed amid high expectations for this year. So what lies ahead for aviation in Ghana, Sean Mendis is an aviation expert and the former COO of Africa World Airlines. He has made a list of 5 key developments that will happen in the aviation space this year that he shared on Joy News with host, Charles Ayitey.
Top 5 Trends in Air Travel in 2021
1) Biosecurity is here to stay. The need for vaccinations, tests, enhanced sanitary protocols, etc. before traveling, especially internationally, will become mainstream.
2) Domestic and regional travel will see a boost. People are more likely to travel closer to home as borders reopen, usually within their home countries or neighboring countries.
3) Self-service technology will become more prevalent. People will prefer to book and pay via mobile apps, check-in online, etc. Rather than dealing with in person transactions.
Source: UGC
4) We will see cheaper travel options in the short term. Airlines and governments will reduce fares and taxes in order to incentivize travel. There will be excellent deals for those willing to travel in the early stages of the recovery.
5) Catering is on the way out. As people focus more on the need for sanitary travel, airlines will pivot away from product differentiation through the legacy model of generic on-board catering.
Expect to see more partnerships between airlines and food service brands, as catering becomes a value added offering rather than a part of the air product itself.
READ ALSO: Police to arrest school kids who are not in facemasks - Sunyani MCE
The domestic aviation is experiencing a rebound after taking a hit from the covid-19 pandemic. The rebound is attributed to activities related to the just ended elections. Industry watchers expect a busy few weeks ahead with the launch of the “Beyond the Return” initiative which would attract tourists and as the holiday season approaches.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
