Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe Monday appealed for equitable access to Covid-19 tools as the government moves to set up laboratories at border points.

During the daily press briefing on Monday, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman said the government is planning to set up Covid-19 laboratories at border points to bolster testing capacity and reduce tests turnaround time.

The CAS said the government will expand the testing process to include restaurants, border points and communities as well as other high risk areas.

He added: "The problem we may have is along the Tanzania border whether it is Isebania, Namanga or Taita Taveta because we do not have a functional laboratory yet, that can do the tests in those places," he added.

Dr Aman said the turnaround time at the border will be reduced to at least 24 hours once the laboratory is commissioned.