A statement by the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Secretariat has called on member states to revise their transport rules and regulations and make them uniform as they join hands in the fight against Covid-19.

According to the statement, Sadc’s Trade and Transport Facilitation Committee has solicited views to be incorporated into the Covid-19 related transport laws and regulations from 11 member states; ome member states have already revised their rules and regulations while those that have not, are urged to submit copies of national trade and transport facilitation guidelines that they have issued under the Covid-19 emergency.

Among some of the rules and regulations, member states are urged to step up testing, including mass testing for case identification. “Member States intending to lift lock down rules should do so in a phased manner, without compromising the efforts to reduce transmission.” says an update by Sadc. On the other hand, member states intending to reopen schools should consider putting in place the following as a basic minimum which should include, but not limited to, basic hygiene, water and sanitation facilities; availability of cleaners and screeners; providing additional teaching staff to decongest classrooms as well as mobile classrooms; compulsory wearing of masks; sanitization and disinfection of classrooms and common areas, enforcing extreme social distancing in classrooms and in school buses.