The government has stopped assisting Malawian returnees from South Africa with clearance and escort services effective yesterday.

Health Minister and Co-chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, confirmed the development in Monday’s Covid-19 update.

The government has been supporting Malawian returnees from the Rainbow Nation frustrated by loss of livelihoods due to impacts of the pandemic amid a prolonged lockdown there.

For some time now, the Malawi government has, through its mission offices in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, been obtaining block clearances for the returnees’ easy passage back home.

The arrangement required provision of border-to-border escorts as well as special security and immigration assessments and clearances at Mwanza border before they could be admitted into the country.

According to Chiponda, Malawians who intend to travel back home from South Africa should ensure that they comply with visa and other travel requirements for easy transit to Malawi.

She has further advised the travelers to ensure that they have negative PCR-based Covid-19 test certificates done within 72 hours from the day of arrival as per requirement for all travelers entering Malawi.