Health
THE Authority of ECOWAS has approved the harmonised ECOWAS Protocol for cross border movement of persons and goods during the pandemic and caps the cost of COVID-19 PCR test for travel within the region by ECOWAS nationals at a maximum of US$50.
According to the communique issued by the ECOWAS Commission after the 58th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held on January 23, 2021 via videoconference, The Authority also approved a pooled procurement approach for anti COVID vaccines.
It instructed the ECOWAS Commission to set up a Vaccine Revolving Fund and called on national governments, development banks, the private sector and partners to contribute to the Fund.
It noted that the Fund will be used 6 to secure anti-COVID vaccines in the region through short-term pooled procurement and medium-to long-term regional manufacture.
The Authority also instructed the ECOWAS Commission and WAHO, in conjunction with Member States, to lead the process of sourcing 240 million doses of preferably WHO-approved vaccines through direct and collaborative approaches to manufacturers, partners and friendly foreign governments that may be willing to sell extra doses that they may have pre purchased.
The Authority requested the ECOWAS Commission and the West African Health Organisation, WAHO, to drive the process of supply of vaccines, in line with the COVAX Initiative and taking into account the initiatives of Member States at the continental and international level, to ensure the availability of as many vaccines as possible.
The Authority also directed that the vaccination campaign should start latest by the end June, 2021 and to immediately establish a COVID-19 Donor Working Group to undertake the fundraising campaign and appoint eminent citizens as investment champions to support the campaign.
It T welcomed the successful handling of COVID-19 by Member States, through the bold measures and robust initiatives taken in the different countries to contain the pandemic.
The Authority commended the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, Champion of the Fight against COVID-19, who spared no effort to mobilise the required logistics and resources to support the regional dimension of the response to the pandemic.
It also applauded the three Ministerial Coordinating Committees on Health, Finance, Transport and Trade, as well as the ECOWAS Commission and the WAHO for the ongoing efforts to implement the decisions of the Niamey Summit, particularly regarding the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for the region, against the background of the outbreak of a new COVID-19 wave in the ECOWAS region.
On the African Continental Free Trade Area, The Authority welcomed the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, on January 1, 2021 and the ratification of the agreement by 12 out of the 15 ECOWAS Member States.
The ECOWAS Leaders took note of the submission to the African Union of common schedules of tariff concessions for trade in goods and specific commitments on trade in services in five priority sectors and called on Member States that are yet to ratify the Agreement to accelerate the process of ratification in order to promote harmonious trade liberalisation in the region and maintain the integrity of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff.
It also instructed the Commission to continue to support Member States in the development and implementation of national strategies for adaptation to the rules of the AfCFTA, while ensuring their consistency with the regional strategy developed to that effect;
It urged the Commission to continue advocacy campaigns in Member States to ensure greater involvement of all stakeholders, governments, private sector and civil society, while coordinating the positions and approaches of Member States in negotiations under the AfCFTA.
– Jan. 25, 2021 @ 13:18 GMT |
Tags: ECOWAS nationals to pay $50 for COVID-19 test for travel within region
